Music mogul Diddy is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, October.
Federal prosecutors have asked that Combs be sentenced to at least 11 years and three months in prison for his convictions for transportation to engage in prostitution.
Combs’ attorneys have urged Judge Arun Subramanian to sentence the former hip-hop mogul, 55, to no longer than 14 months in prison, only a few months more than the time he has already served in jail since his arrest in September 2024.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, believes that Combs, who was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy during an eight-week trial, will most likely get a sentence between 4 and 5 years.
“I don’t think he’s getting the 11 years that the government is recommending,” he tells PEOPLE. “That is more than the statutory max for the prostitution counts.”
The prostitution related offenses carry maximum sentences of 10 years each, Rahmani says, adding that the Probation Department recommended 5 to 7 years in prison.
“If the judge was so inclined he would’ve released him on bail after the verdict,” he adds. “The fact that he kept him detained, even though he was acquitted of a more serious racketeering and sex trafficking counts, leads me to believe that he’s going to impose a sentence. Maybe not the full amount the government is asking for, but a split the baby type sentence. So that’s why I think five years ends up being in the middle.”
Rahmani says the judge can consider “other relevant conduct” when making his decision.
“We’re talking about the drugs,” he says. “We’re talking about the violence. Even though he was acquitted of running a criminal enterprise and forcing these women to have sex through coercion. Now there’s a lot of bad evidence that came out with respect to violence and drug use. So, I think the judge is going to treat this like more than just a simple prosecution case.”
In a letter ahead of his sentencing, Combs’ ex Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who alleged during trial that he abused her during their decade-long relationship, asked the judge to consider “the many lives that Sean Combs has upended with his abuse and control.”
Rob Kardashian has finally resurfaced on screen. The 37-year-old reality star, who has been away from the spotlight for nearly a decade, made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in the trailer for the upcoming season of The Kardashians.
In the clip, Rob is seen in a blue cap and black T-shirt while chatting with his sister Khloe, who affectionately called him by his nicknames “Bob” and “Bobby.” This marks his first appearance on the family’s Hulu series in eight years.
Rob, who shares an eight-year-old daughter, Dream, with ex-fiancée Blac Chyna, has mostly focused on fatherhood and business. He runs his sock line Arthur George and, according to reports, serves as the chief financial officer for Kardashian Incorporated. A source also confirmed he doesn’t rely on his famous family for financial support, Daily Mail reported.
Earlier this year, Rob gave fans a rare glimpse into his private life on Khloe’s podcast Khloe In Wonderland, where he revealed that while he dates occasionally, his main focus has always been raising Dream. “I don’t bring girls in the house. I don’t have girls meet my daughter. My energy is just into Dream,” he said, adding that he has been single since her birth.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent characterization of Russia as a “paper tiger,” turning the criticism back on the NATO alliance.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Group in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Thursday, Putin addressed Trump’s comments, which were made on social media last week following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Trump had asserted that with European support, Ukraine could win back all of its territory and called Russia a “paper tiger” for fighting a war “aimlessly” for three and a half years, which he claimed “should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win.”
In his rebuttal, Putin questioned the intent of Trump’s remark, saying he did not know if the U.S. President was being “ironic.”
“A paper tiger. What follows then? Go and deal with this paper tiger,” Putin said. “Well if we are fighting with the entire NATO bloc, we are moving, advancing, and we feel confident, and we are a ‘paper tiger,’ then what is NATO itself?”
Putin insisted that Russian forces were advancing along the entire front in Ukraine and claimed that almost the entire U.S.-led NATO alliance was now fighting against Russia, providing Ukraine with intelligence, weapons, and training.
The Russian President concluded with a warning to the West, stating that if any nation wished to compete with Russia in the military sphere, they should “feel free, let them try,” and cautioned that Russia’s countermeasures “will not be long in coming” if it perceives Europe is provoking Moscow.
The terrorist who carried out the fatal Manchester synagogue atack has been named as Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed Al-Shamie, 35, as the man who klled two people and injured four others in a ramming and knife attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue this morning, October 2.
Al-Shamie who was armed with a knife and a device that had been believed to be an explosive, was shot de@d seven minutes after the attack started.
Two men aged in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism connected to the synagogue attack, police added.
Officers were alerted this morning to reports a car was driven into pedestrians and that people had been stabbed.
Two people were confirmed to have been k!lled in the terror attack and four others were rushed to hospital in a serious condition.
Officers could not immediately confirm if Al-Shamie was k!lled due to “safety issues” over “suspicious items on his person.” Following an investigation of the scene, it was determined the device was not an explosive. In a statement Greater Manchester Police said this evening: “We are now able to confirm that, although formal identification is yet to take place, we believe the person responsible for today’s attacks is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie. He is a British citizen of Syrian descent.”
They added: “Based on what we currently know, our records do not show any previous Prevent referrals relating to this individual.”
As well as two men who were pronounced de@d at the scene following the attack, the police confirmed that three others were in hospital with “serious injuries” related to the incident.
“One sustained a stab wound and a second was struck by the car involved in the attack. The third man later presented himself at hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker,” the statement said.
Investigators are still working to formally identify those who had been k!lled in the attack and provide support to their loved ones, in addition to the injured and the wider community, for force concluded.
Investigations were continuing and detectives were working to understand the motivation behind the horriffic attack as crime scenes remain in place on White House Avenue, Crumpsall and Langley Crescent, Prestwich, which are also linked to the arrests.
Convicted rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has written a letter to the judge overseeing his criminal trial, asking for mercy during his sentencing on Friday.
In the four-page letter, he apologises “for all of the hurt and pain that I have caused” and says that he has been reformed after spending 13 months in a Brooklyn jail.
The letter on Thursday comes hours ahead of his sentencing hearing at 10:00 ET (15:00GMT) on Friday.
In July, he was found guilty of two prostitution charges and now faces up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of at least 11 years, but Combs’ lawyers are asking that he be released later this month.
In his letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, Combs apologises for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra Ventura, writing: “I literally lost my mind”.
“I’m sorry for that and always will be,” he continues. “My domestic violence will always be heavy burden that will have to forever carry.”
He also apologies to an anonymous woman who testified during the trial under the name “Jane” and says he became “lost in the drugs and the excess”.
“I lost my way,” he wrote. “My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I have been humbled and broken to my core.”
Comb’s accusers have also written to the judge, describing how he wielded his power and influence to ruin their lives, and their fears that he would seek revenge if freed.
“I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up,” wrote Ms Ventura.
She added that she believes he deserves a long sentence, writing: “He has no interest in changing or becoming better. He will always be the same cruel, power-hungry, manipulative man that he is.”
In his letter, Combs describes teaching a class to fellow inmates on “what I did to become a successful businessman”, describing himself as a changed person who is now sober for the first time in 25 years.
“The old me died in jail and new version of me was reborn,” he writes.
Comb goes on to ask the judge for mercy, “not only for my sake, but for the sake of my children”. He asked the judge to consider his seven kids, and his 84-year-old mother, who recently had brain surgery.
He notes that the judge might be tempted to make an example out of him and instead asks that he be made an example of “what a person can do if afforded a second chance”.
Combs is also expected to speak in court on Friday before the judge issues his sentence. Four of his lawyers are also slated to speak, and his defence team also plans to show a 15-minute video. It’s unclear what the video may include.
Prosecutors say he is “unrepentant” and argued the rapper should spend a minimum of 11 years in prison.
“The defendant tries to recast decades of abuse as simply the function of mutually toxic relationships,” prosecutors wrote in a 29 September filing. “But there is nothing mutual about a relationship where one person holds all the power and the other ends up bloodied and bruised.”
A Bronx hospital patient was beaten to de@th by her roommate, with a known history of violent behavior.
Cynthia Vann, 55, was sleeping in her room at Lincoln Hospital in Mott Haven when she was attacked, causing her to need emergency surgery on Sept. 10, News 12 reported.
Vann was at the Bronx Medical Center for liver treatment at the time of the ass@ult.
She suffered wounds to the head and remained at the NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln complex for two weeks before she d!ed from her injuries on Saturday, September 27.
“It’s heartbreaking. I’m broken inside. It’s very difficult. My mom was my support system. She was really all I had,” Vann’s daughter Taneisha Vann told News 12.
“She didn’t deserve this. No one deserves to be assaulted at a hospital while you’re sleeping,” the younger Vann said. “You’re supposed to feel safe.”
Vann died of blunt force trauma to the head, the outlet reported, citing the medical examiner’s office.
Her de@th was ruled a homicide.
Taneisha Vann blamed the medical center for creating the environment that put her mother in danger.
“I’m angry with the hospital that allowed this situation to happen,” she said.
“She has a birthday coming up on the 9th. She’ll be 56 and that’s difficult as well. It’s just she didn’t deserve that,” Taneisha said.
Robert Morris, the 64-year-old founder of Gateway Church in Texas, has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in Oklahoma more than 40 years ago.
Morris admitted in court to felony charges of lewd and indecent acts with a child. He was sentenced to 10 years, but will only serve six months in jail and spend the remaining time on probation. He must also register as a sex offender and pay $250,000 in restitution, per BBC.
The victim, Cindy Clemishere, now 55, was in court as Morris entered his plea. Through tears, she told him his abuse had “rippled into every part of her life.” She also rejected Morris’ earlier claims that it was a “moral failure” with a “young lady,” saying firmly: “There was no such thing as consent from a 12-year-old child. I was not a young lady. I was a child.”
The abuse happened in the 1980s while Morris, then a traveling evangelist, was living with her family in Hominy, Oklahoma. Clemishere said she reported the abuse to her parents and church leaders in 1987, but no one called the police.
Morris, who founded Gateway Church in 2000, grew it into one of the largest megachurches in the US, with more than 100,000 members across nine locations. He also served on Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory committee in 2016.
Morris stepped down from Gateway last year after Clemishere went public with her story.
The Auditor General’s (AG) Report has revealed that the Ministry of Finance lost $3.66 million over contract breaches.
What type of government is Mr Hakainde Hichilema running? A government of grand thieves, crooks!
Add this to the Ministry of Health thefts! Latest Auditor General report ending December 2024 reveals that the Ministry of Agriculture disbursed K68,268,150 to 1,094 loan beneficiaries in 12 districts. K18,310,678 was to be recovered but only K5,351,499 was with K12,959,179 unrecovered. Why? Was it political handouts or gifts to UPND cadres?
The AG report also reveals four terminated contracts worth K48 million had K12 million in unrecovered advance payments as of August 2025, see, AG Report on Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation
Some years back after President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL) had retired, I became the President of PF.
When he later came out of retirement back into active politics, we then reconciled ourselves & I made an undertaking to hand over PF back to him.
Unfortunately much to everyone’s shock, he died in a South Africa hospital and remains there in a funeral home (mortuary) due to a burial restraining court order on the family obtained by HH’s government. Matter remains protracted in the SA courts.
Meantime PF court cases that were active while he was alive to enable me formalize the handover process of the PF back to him as per my undertaking, have remained unresolved far beyond after his death.
Today is the day however. An interlocutory judgement is expected in the High Court from her Lordship Judge Conceptor Chinyanwa Zulu that, for intent and purposes and depending on how she rules ultimately, it will or will not transfer the PF Presidency from Miles Bwalya Sampa to Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Dead or Alive, I stand by the pledge I made to ECL to hand over the PF Presidency to him. This so in front of his and my lawyers.
Legal details summarized; today’s preliminary ruling by Judge CC Zulu will therefore directly or indirectly order to transfer or not to transfer the PF Presidency from MBS to Sir ECL 爛
Miles Bwalya Sampa, MP President of the Patriotic Front (PF) & Leader of Opposition
CONSTITUTION MAKING AND HICHILEMA’S COMMITTEE OF PRAISE SINGERS
By Sishuwa Sishuwa
In addition to the likes of Felicity Kalunga (a recent PhD graduate in constitutional law from Cardiff University) and Landilani Banda (another recent PhD graduate in human rights law from the University of Pretoria), I wish the president had appointed genuine experts like O’Brien Kaaba, Muna Ndulo and many others who are well versed in these matters.
Talent is not randomly distributed; one has to search for it. Zambia is not short of men and women of integrity who are experts in constitution making. He has a wider pool to choose from and this wider pool, I must mention, excludes me.
Anyway, I suppose it’s all contrived. The president has no intention of doing the right thing and wants to have the last word. What a pity and a missed opportunity to show leadership on an important national subject where we all need to pull together!
It appears the motive of putting up this team is to show minimum compliance with the Constitutional Court ruling but use the ruling party’s/Praise Team’s numerical superiority on the committee to come up with a bill that would be similar to the one that was declared unconstitutional.
So the three independents are being used to legitimise a sham committee. I hope they can respectfully decline the appointment so that they do not ruin their professional reputation under the umbrella of collective (ir)responsibility.
I really wish the president would learn to actively listen and build consensus on certain national issues.
What happened in Malawi can’t happen in Zambia next year, UPND has worked – Mweetwa
CHIEF Government Spokesperson and Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa says it is “unfashionable” for opposition leaders to suggest that what happened in Malawi during elections could also happen in Zambia next year.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mweetwa said it was illogical for the opposition to compare Zambia with Malawi when both countries have their own electoral systems and political contexts.
He stressed that the UPND administration had worked hard to revive the economy, expressing confidence that Zambians had seen the results for themselves.
“We find it unfashionable for opposition to compare Malawi with Zambia when it has its own way of electing its leaders. We are confident that the last four years of the UPND has seen national and economic recovery on a transformative and progressive agenda to stabilise the economy,” stated Mweetwa.
“From unsustainable debt to debt restructuring, creating fiscal space to invest in the economic sectors of our country. We have moved from drought to a bumper harvest, all because of the UPND’s hard work. We have brought the economy from 1.6 percent to 5.2 percent.”
He urged citizens to ignore naysayers who had doubted President Hakainde Hichilema’s ability to deliver on his promises before taking office.
He said most people who criticised President Hakainde Hichilema over how he could revive the economy before he took office have now seen the works the President promised.
“Don’t listen to naysayers who were saying HH won’t manage to put free education or bring back meal allowances and Napsa partial withdrawals. All that has been done. Mines have also been revived and we will also be able to revitalise the Mulungushi Textiles soon,” he said.
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA APPOINTS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFOR
President Hakainde Hichilema has appointed a diverse Technical Committee to lead nationwide consultations and draft proposed amendments to Zambia’s Constitution.
The committee will be chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Christopher Mushabati, with Dr. Landilani Banda serving as Vice Chairperson and Spokesperson.
Other members include:
Dr. Felicity Kalunga
Ms. Eva Jhala
Mr. Douglas Tambulukani
Dr. Vanny Munyumbwe
Dr. Bishop David Masupa
Mrs. Isabel Mutembo
Mrs. Grace Sinkamba
Mr. Isaac Mwanza
Mr. Guess Nyirenda
Mr. Ngande Mwanajiti
Mr. Rabbson Chongo
Ms. Ruth Kangwa
Mr. Waliuya Wamundila
Chief Chamuka
Chief Nyampande
Mrs. Doreen Kabwe
Mr. Gregory Chifire
Father Cletus Mwiila
Bishop Paul Mususu
Rev Ackson Banda
Apostle Charles Ndandula
Mufti Ikram Sanaullah
Mr. Kamlesh Shah
According to State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka, the appointments follow extensive engagement with civil society, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders. He emphasized that the committee reflects Zambia’s rich diversity—comprising legal experts, academics, faith leaders, traditional leaders, and civil society representatives.
Supporting the committee are legal and drafting experts from the Ministry of Justice, including:
Mrs. Mwenya Bwalya (Permanent Secretary)
Mrs. Doris Mwiinga (Zambia Law Development Commission Director)
Mrs. Hope Chanda
Mr. Chola Mwewa
Mr. Bubbala Chibbonta (Chief Parliamentary Counsel)
President Hichilema has also directed Smart Zambia and ZICTA to provide digital platforms and ICT support to facilitate the committee’s work.
The Technical Committee is expected to develop a work programme and conduct wide-ranging consultations.
The President has called on all citizens, political parties, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders to engage constructively in the process, emphasizing that only a truly people-driven approach can produce a Constitution that fosters unity, inclusivity, and national progress.
MAKEBI ZULU: THE QUIET STRENGTH IN ZAMBIA’S POLITICAL CONVERSATION
By Brian Matambo – Lusaka, Zambia
Hon. Makebi Zulu, former Eastern Province Minister and Member of Parliament for Malambo Constituency, is steadily emerging as one of the most talked-about figures in Zambia’s evolving political space. His rise has not been through noise or confrontation, but through a steady, disciplined presence that has caught the attention of both his party and the nation.
At 44 years old, Makebi Zulu stands out as part of a younger yet more grounded generation of leaders within the Patriotic Front. He belongs to a cohort that includes Raphael Nakachinda and Greyford Monde, men who are mature in outlook, seasoned in debate, and committed to steering a rebranded PF into relevance. In this group, Makebi Zulu represents a blend of professional rigor and moral steadiness, qualities increasingly seen as essential for Zambia’s future.
The foundation of his reputation lies in law. A trained advocate, Makebi Zulu has for years been at the forefront of constitutional arguments that have shaped national debates. But beyond the courtroom battles, it is his loyalty to the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu that has stood out. Each time the former head of state and his family faced legal hurdles, Makebi Zulu was there, not for the cameras but for the cause. His consistency in representing Lungu in some of the most high-pressure moments after State House has defined him as a man who does not waver when responsibility is heavy.
Yet there is more to him than legal acumen. Makebi Zulu carries himself with the kind of sobriety that speaks to deeper values. A devout Christian, he places faith at the centre of his life, and those who have worked with him often point to a humility anchored in belief. That quiet spirituality translates into politics not as sermons but as a guiding ethic, an insistence on dignity, fairness, and service.
It is this ethic of service that explains his growing appeal. Whether in Malambo or as Provincial Minister, Makebi Zulu has consistently been described as attentive, approachable, and deliberate. He listens more than he talks, but when he speaks, there is no mistaking his position. In a political culture often defined by aggression, he has cultivated a softer but firmer style, one that unites rather than divides and persuades rather than provokes.
For a party searching for renewal, Makebi Zulu offers more than just youth. He offers credibility, sobriety, and a vision rooted in transformation. His presence signals that the Patriotic Front can reinvent itself not through slogans but through leaders who inspire confidence. And for a nation still seeking leaders who put people first, he represents the possibility of politics anchored in integrity.
Makebi Zulu’s journey is still unfolding, but already he embodies something rare in Zambian politics: a quiet force that does not shout for recognition, yet commands attention. In the years ahead, that quiet strength may well prove to be one of the defining qualities Zambia needs most.
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CSO CONSORTIUM WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS COMMITTEE
Lusaka… Friday October 3, 2025 – The Consortium for Good Governance has welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s appointment of an independent committee to consult citizens and draft constitutional amendments.
In a statement issued by its Deputy Chairperson, Mr. Solomon Ngoma, the Consortium said the President’s decision showed respect for the Constitutional Court’s ruling and demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that constitutional reforms would only take place after meaningful consultation with citizens.
The Consortium commended the Head of State for upholding the rule of law and promoting citizen participation in the reform process.
It further described the composition of the Committee as encouraging, noting that it brought together individuals with diverse backgrounds, including those who had supported, opposed, or previously taken no position on constitutional amendments.
Mr. Ngoma explained that the Consortium was particularly pleased with the appointment of its Chairperson, Mr. Isaac Mwanza, to represent eleven Civil Society Organisations in the process.
He noted that Mr. Mwanza had been instrumental in several constitutional review processes since 2010 and had also played a role in litigation defending the Constitution.
The Consortium also welcomed the inclusion of Mrs. Isabel Mutembo from a sister consortium, saying the appointments showed deliberate efforts to give civil society a voice in the reforms.
The Consortium stressed that the Constitution was a people’s document that must be shaped by broad citizen participation, not only by lawyers and technical experts.
It urged all members of the Committee to prioritise national interest above personal or partisan considerations.
According to the statement, the President’s commitment to engaging a wide range of stakeholders–including civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and ordinary citizens–was expected to strengthen the legitimacy and credibility of the process.
The Consortium expressed confidence that if the reforms were carried out transparently and in good faith, the outcome would reflect the true aspirations of the Zambian people.
It added that the establishment of the Committee marked an important step towards ensuring accountability and inclusiveness in constitutional reform.
By providing an opportunity for broad-based consultations, the Committee was expected to give citizens a chance to meaningfully contribute to shaping Zambia’s supreme law.
The Consortium pledged to remain actively engaged in the process, expressing trust that the Committee would discharge its mandate professionally and impartially in the best interests of the nation.
LAWYER VOWS TO PROCEED WITH CONTEMPT CASE AGAINST SPEAKER AND JUSTICE MINISTER OVER BILL 7
By Nelson Zulu
Lawyer Celestine Mukandila says he will not withdraw contempt of court proceedings in the Constitutional Court against Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti and Justice Minister Princess Kasune, despite government’s position that bill 7 will not be reintroduced in Parliament.
Mr. Mukandila has told Phoenix News that the proceedings will continue because government’s stance on the matter cannot be trusted, citing previous inconsistencies in maintaining a firm position.
He adds that if government had been transparent and genuine in its decision not to reintroduce bill 7, the legislation would have already been withdrawn in line with an earlier Constitutional Court judgment.
Mr. Mukandila stresses that the rule of law must not only be preached as is the case with the UPND government, but also demonstrated in practice, a situation he describes as deeply concerning.
Yesterday, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa assured the nation that government will not undertake any process related to the reintroduction of bill 7 or make alleged secret judicial appointments, stressing that there are currently no plans or intentions to bring back the bill.
UKA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS COLLAPSES
By Chamuka Shalubala
National Democratic Congress-NDC- faction President Saboi Imboela has disclosed that the process of selecting a presidential candidate for the United Kwacha Alliance-UKA- ahead of the 2026 general elections has collapsed and is no longer under discussion.
Ms. Imboela, who is a member of the alliance, disclosed that internal talks have stalled, effectively ending efforts to agree on a unified candidate for the 2026 general election.
She has further advised political parties within the Tonse alliance to, foster mutual respect if their group is to endure.
Ms. Imboela in an interview with Phoenix News notes that many political coalitions in the country, collapse due to ego and superiority complexes among member parties.
Kafwaya Questions Legality of Dual Constitutional Processes, Demands Withdrawal of Bill 7
Lunte Member of Parliament Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya has strongly criticized President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision to appoint a technical committee on constitutional amendments, describing the move as “strange” and an unprecedented violation of governance procedures.
In a statement issued on Friday, Kafwaya said the development amounts to running two parallel constitutional reform processes, one under the executive and another already before Parliament a situation he labelled as “madness in the governance process.”
“Yesterday, HH appointed a technical committee to consult the people on constitutional amendments. But there is a bill in the parliamentary process on constitutional amendments. The bill is called Bill 7 of 2025,” Kafwaya stated.
The lawmaker questioned whether such duplication of legislative work had ever been witnessed elsewhere in the world, insisting this was the first time he had encountered what he termed a blatant contradiction in Zambia’s governance system.
Kafwaya accused the executive of undermining Parliament by initiating a new process while Bill 7 a government-sponsored amendment bill remains before the parliamentary committee stage. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of Bill 7 if the executive is serious about starting afresh.
“It is impossible for the executive to start another bill creation on the same subject, especially because the existing Bill is also government sponsored and not a private member’s bill,” he argued.
The Patriotic Front lawmaker further likened the situation to “one person having two open graves in two different countries,” stressing that only one legitimate process should proceed.
“Withdraw Bill 7. That is the only way a new process can start,” Kafwaya reiterated.
These concern comes amid growing public distrust over constitutional reforms in Zambia, with critics warning that secretive or duplicative processes could erode transparency and accountability. Civil society, the opposition, and the Catholic Bishops have all raised alarm in recent weeks over the government’s handling of the controversial Bill 7.
It has come to our attention that President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND government have appointed a Technical Committee to consult the people and draft amendments to the Constitution, with only 10 months left before the 2026 general elections.
This move raises serious questions about intent, timing, and credibility.
1. Wrong Timing
With elections around the corner, it is dangerous and reckless to embark on major constitutional amendments. Any changes at this stage will only deepen suspicion that the UPND government is manipulating the law for its own political survival.
2. Divided Nation
Zambia today is already polarized. Citizens, opposition leaders, civil society, and even traditional leaders are being sidelined and persecuted. To attempt constitutional changes in such an environment of mistrust will only worsen division and instability.
3. Lack of Legitimacy
The UPND has lost moral ground to be the driver of constitutional reforms. A government that thrives on exclusion, intimidation, and partisanship cannot be trusted to lead a genuine people-driven process.
4. A Warning to MPs
We warn current Members of Parliament: do not rush or rubber-stamp these amendments. History will hold you accountable if you sell out the will of the Zambian people for short-term political gains.
5. A Political Distraction
This sudden rush is nothing but a deliberate distraction ahead of the 2026 elections. Its aim is to derail the opposition from uniting, to waste valuable time in endless debates, and to shift focus away from holding the government accountable for its failures. Zambians must see through this tactic.
A Call to All Zambians
I call upon all Zambians—youth, women, civil society, the church, traditional leaders, and the diaspora—to stand united in rejecting these rushed amendments. This Constitution belongs to the people, not to any political party.
A Call to All Political Leaders, Including UPND
I call upon all political leaders across the divide, including those in UPND, to resist the temptation of short-term partisan interests. Let us unite for the sake of national peace, democracy, and stability. True leadership is measured not by how much power one can consolidate, but by how much one can protect the people’s heritage and unity.
Our Position
Zambia needs inclusive, transparent, and stable leadership, not hurried amendments.
Any meaningful constitutional review should only be done after 2026, through broad consensus involving all political players, civil society, and the people themselves.
We reject attempts to tamper with the Constitution in the final months before a crucial election.
Let the message be clear: Zambia belongs to the people, not to the ruling party.
✍️ Rev. Dr. Kelvin Mugala Advocate for Good Governance & Clergy
MILLIONAIRE MUDOLO DISRUPTS PF CONTEST … as PF stalwarts, party base flock to SA for meetings with him
Details have emerged of how the new entrant into the PF presidential race, millionaire and philanthropist Willah Mudolo, has upended the tables in the former ruling party, with party stalwarts taking turns to fly to South Africa for meetings with him.
Well placed sources have told Daily Revelation that Mudolo has managed to secure a by-in from influential PF figures and the rank and file of the party, where it has been reported that he is receiving positive vibes from 9 out of the 10
MWEETWA DEFENDS PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S RECORD, REJECTS MALAWI PARALLELS
Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has dismissed suggestions that Malawi’s recent electoral outcome could influence Zambia, describing such claims as misguided.
Speaking at a media briefing, Mr. Mweetwa said Zambia and Malawi operate under different governance systems, stressing that under President Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia has made notable progress in economic recovery and fiscal stability.
“We find it unfashionable and worrying for us to compare ourselves to a sovereign state like Malawi. Both countries are totally different in the way they are run,” he said.
Mr. Mweetwa recalled that when the UPND administration assumed office, Zambia was on the brink of economic collapse.
However, he noted that government reforms have since revitalized key sectors of the economy.
“Government has worked very hard to change the narrative in the mining sector and other critical areas of the economy. As we revamp the mining industry, jobs will be created. This marks a significant milestone, and government deserves commendation instead of constant criticism,” he stated.
The Minister further expressed confidence that President Hichilema would continue to deliver development and sustain the country’s growth trajectory as Zambia heads toward the 2026 general elections.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Australia, Elias Munshya to sue Harry Kalaba for defamation.
In a widely circulated letter addressed to minister of Foreign Affairs, Kalaba through his secretary General Vincent Chintu accuses ambassador Munshya of sexual misconduct
There are many questions that need honest answers about Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s trip to Scotland. What was this trip about?
Let them help us by explaining. We don’t want to insinuate anything.
There was a major event for the Freemanson programme yesterday – 1 October, 2025 in Scotland.
Yesterday, Mr Hichilema was absent on social media, which is unusual when he travels and when he is in the country.
And today he featured visiting a sowing machine project and walking in the garden at the Kings Foundation.
According to information available online:
“The Freemanson and The Prince of Wales who is now the King and Patron of the Kings Foundation have a connection”.
And many male members of the royal family have been involved with Freemasonry.
The Prince of Wales has held the Grand Master (or Great Master) position in at least two important organizations: the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons (specifically Prince Albert Edward, the future King Edward VII) and the Order of the Bath (most recently with the current Prince William). The role signifies leadership and high honour within these institutions, with past Princes of Wales including George (future George IV), Albert Edward (future Edward VII), and most recently, William.
The Duke of Kent: As of October 2025, King Charles’s first cousin, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, serves as the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and has held the position since 1967. Prince Michael of Kent: The Duke of Kent’s younger brother, Prince Michael, is also a Freemason, serving as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons.
Prince Philip: The late Duke of Edinburgh was a Freemason, although sources suggest he was not an active participant. George VI and Edward VII: Former monarchs King George VI and King Edward VII were both active Freemasons.
Let them help us by explaining, we don’t want to insinuate anything.
Zambia’s Ascent: A Nation Forged by Dialogue and Determination
A new chapter of national dialogue is unfolding in Zambia. The recent appointment of a Technical Committee to consult citizens on constitutional amendments is more than a procedural step; it is a powerful testament to a leadership that listens and a government committed to genuine partnership with its people.
This inclusive move reaffirms that our nation’s trajectory is being charted with both wisdom and a profound respect for the voices of every Zambian.
This culture of thoughtful governance is yielding tangible results. Under the current administration, Zambia’s economy has demonstrated remarkable and consistent resilience.
According to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Zambia’s GDP has grown steadily from approximately $22 billion in 2021 to a projected $29 billion in 2024, reflecting a consistent annual growth rate of 4-5%. This is not a product of chance but of calculated strategy and critical thinking, positioning our nation on a firm path to prosperity.
This forward momentum extends to our energy sector. While recent load-shedding, which officially began in April 2024, has presented challenges, it is crucial to contextualize this within the government’s massive and impressive investments in renewable energy. These strategic initiatives are the definitive solution, ensuring that energy shortages will soon be a relic of the past, powering both our homes and our industrial growth.
Navigating a path to economic prosperity is the most formidable challenge any government can face. For Zambia, this task was Herculean from the outset, given the profound economic distress inherited from the past administration. To emerge from such a foundation is a testament not to chance, but to sheer fiscal prudence and strategic management.
While the high cost of living is a global phenomenon affecting nations worldwide, Zambia’s position within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is one of notable resilience. As someone who travels extensively, I can attest that the stability and potential we are building here stand in contrast to the challenges faced by many of our regional neighbors.
This perspective is crucial. It allows us to see our journey not in isolation, but as a remarkable story of a nation pulling together, making difficult but necessary reforms, and steadily climbing upward. The progress, though demanding, is real and positions Zambia not just for recovery, but for future regional leadership. Our collective perseverance is paving the way for a more prosperous and stable tomorrow.
Therefore, this is a moment for collective ownership and positive participation. The call of the hour is for every Zambian to actively engage in shaping our legacy, from ensuring the effective implementation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to supporting the school feeding program that nurtures our future leaders. We must champion a culture of constructive opposition, where debate is intended to build, not to destroy.
While our flight has experienced some turbulence, the destination is clear: a stable and prosperous Zambia. The evidence on the ground, from economic indicators to inclusive governance, allows us to declare with confidence that our nation is in good hands. The landing will be smooth, securing a brighter future for generations to come. Let us all be co-pilots in this journey, united in purpose and hope for the Zambia we are building together.
⬆️ NEWS FLUSH | Over 6,000 Sexual Violence Cases Recorded in Four Years
Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu has disclosed that Zambia recorded 1,002 rape cases and 4,978 defilement cases between January 2021 and July 2025.
Speaking in Parliament, Mwiimbu described the figures as alarming, noting that girls aged 5–13 remain the most vulnerable to defilement, while women aged 17–25 are most affected by rape.
He revealed that 346 convictions for rape and 1,978 for defilement were secured during the period, but warned that stigma, family interference, and case withdrawals continue to undermine justice.
Mwiimbu said government will intensify community sensitisation campaigns, train police officers in victim support, and enforce a no-withdrawal policy for such cases.
“The trauma our children endure is unacceptable. We will not allow withdrawal of cases. Perpetrators must face justice,” Mwiimbu declared.
The figures place sexual violence at the centre of Zambia’s social crisis, highlighting the urgent need for systemic response beyond punishment.
SAMFYA–KASEBA ROAD PROJECT LAUNCHED TO SPUR DEVELOPMENT IN CHIFUNABULI
October 2,2025
Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi has urged the contractor working on the Samfya–Kaseba road to deliver the 80-kilometer stretch to international standards.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony in Chifunabuli District, Mr. Milupi revealed that an additional five kilometers of road works will extend into the township to further benefit the local community.
He emphasized that the project reflects the UPND government’s dedication to providing quality infrastructure that meets the aspirations of the people.
Mr. Milupi further thanked the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries for his tireless efforts in lobbying for this important infrastructure.
He disclosed that the 80-kilometer stretch is being constructed at a cost of K937 Million Kwacha
Livestock and Fisheries Minister Peter Kapala, in turn, thanked the government for positively responding to the people’s long-standing plea to have the road constructed.
He highlighted that the road will enhance market access and stimulate the growth of the livestock and fisheries sectors in Luapula Province.
Luapula Province Minister Nason Musonda praised President Hakainde Hichilema, noting that he is the first president since independence to deliver a tarred road to the people of Chifunabuli.
Road Development Agency (RDA) Board Chairman Engineer Eugene Haazele assured the public that the project will contribute significantly to economic development and pledged that the RDA will enforce high standards.
National Road Fund Agency Chairman Noel Nkhoma commended the government for its consistent support towards road development across the country.
National Council for Construction Board Chairman Ngenda Situmbeko stated that the council will closely supervise the project to ensure the works are executed within the allocated budget.
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Deputy Director Joe Zhou reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering a high-quality road on schedule.
Senior Chief Mwewa expressed gratitude to President Hichilema and the UPND administration for bringing proper road infrastructure to Chifunabuli.
The launch of the Samfya–Kaseba road stands as a testament to the UPND government’s resolve to uplift rural communities through meaningful development.
Chongwe Council in Crisis: Governance Paralysis or Political Machinations?
On 2nd October 2025, Chongwe Municipal Council was expected to finally hold its first Full Council Meeting of the year. Instead, in a shocking last-minute twist, the meeting was postponed abruptly on 1st October indefinitely.
For councilors and stakeholders, this was not just a scheduling hiccup – it was another blow in a year marked by suspensions, dysfunction, and political wrangles.
A Year Without a Council Meeting • No Full Council meeting has been held in 2025. • The entire Council was suspended earlier this year, including the Mayor. • The Council’s authority over land and planning was withdrawn, stalling approvals and discouraging investment. This triple paralysis has left service delivery frozen, development projects stalled, and public confidence eroded.
Politics at Play? Reports suggest that councilors planned to move a Motion of No Confidence in the Town Clerk at the cancelled meeting. Shortly after, a group of youths – including a Ward Development Committee Chairperson – staged a protest condemning councilors and calling forward by-elections. Many observers believe this was a politically choreographed move, linked to growing tensions between the area MP and councilors (some of whom may challenge her in 2026).
If true, this raises troubling questions: • Are councilors being silenced for exercising their oversight mandate? • Has local governance in Chongwe been reduced to political survival games?
The Consequences for Chongwe • Stalled development: Roads, markets, housing and civic projects remain incomplete.
• Investor uncertainty: Land administration suspensions have scared away potential growth. • Erosion of trust: Constituents see decentralization promises slipping away.
• Political risk: Governance failures risk weakening the ruling party’s standing ahead of 2026. This is no longer just a local crisis – it’s becoming a national credibility test for decentralization.
What Needs to Be Done 1. Restore Full Council Meetings immediately. 2. Commission an independent audit and investigation into CDF, finances, and administrative decisions. 3. Reinstate land and planning authority to unlock stalled development.
4. Depoliticize local governance – councilors must operate without fear or propaganda wars. 5. Facilitate dialogue among councilors, technocrats, and political leaders to rebuild trust.
Final Word Chongwe’s crisis shows how fragile local democracy becomes when political interests overshadow public service. The government and UPND leadership must act decisively to restore accountability, functionality, and fairness – not just for Chongwe, but to safeguard the integrity of decentralization nationwide. Anything less risks turning this local paralysis into a national loss of trust ahead of 2026.
Deadline Diplomacy and the Blair of War: Gaza’s Peace Plan or Punch line?
Amb. Anthony Mukwita writes in The Daily Nation Friday.
2 Sept 25.
They say irony died in 2003, somewhere between Baghdad and Tony Blair’s press briefings.
But lo and behold, it’s alive and awkwardly kicking in Gaza, where Blair, yes that Blair, has been appointed to the Board of Peace for Gaza.
I kid you not. The man who helped light the fuse in Iraq is now tasked with dousing flames in Gaza. What’s next, appointing a mosquito to lead malaria eradication?
The 20-point “peace plan,” unveiled by President Trump with Netanyahu nodding like a dashboard bobble-head, reads like political sudoku.
But I’ll spare you the migraine and boil it down to four spicy bullet points: 1. Ceasefire and hostage swap: Israel pulls back, Hamas releases hostages, and vice versa. 2. Reconstruction under international baby-sitters: Gaza gets a technocratic makeover—minus Hamas, rightly so.
3. Prisoner release: 1,950 detainees, including women and children, to be freed. Because nothing says “trust us” like a mass jailbreak. 4. All Israeli hostages must be release and yes they must dead or alive.
Hamas has three to four days to accept the deal or face what Trump ominously calls a “sad end.” Tick-tock, tick-tock—the region holds its breath while the world plays musical chairs with morality.
As a Zambian, I ask: is this too far from home? Not really. We know the dance, post-conflict reconstruction, balancing justice and peace, watching global powers play chess with human lives while we provide the pawns.
Gaza may be miles away, but morally, it’s next door. And while I began with satire, I end with sorrow. May peace prevail. May the bloodshed cease.
And may the souls lost, Israeli and Palestinian, be mourned with dignity. Because if Tony Blair is now the face of peace, then surely, hope isn’t dead. It’s just wearing a very ironic hat.
Amb. Anthony Mukwita is an International Relations Analyst & Author. His column “Mukwita On Point” appears every Friday in the Daily Nation.
It is not just Zambia. The US government shut down on October 1, 2025 after budget disagreements between Republicans and Democrats.
What this means:
• US embassies worldwide including Zambia are affected • Visa and passport services continue but with delays • This is a nationwide shutdown in the US and not Zambia specific.
Why it matters for Zambians:
• Visa and passport applicants may face disruptions • Embassy services remain limited until US Congress resolves the budget standoff
Zambia is not being targeted. This is American politics affecting the whole world.
In recent months, many within and outside Zambia have urged me to enter politics and consider offering myself for public office. I am humbled by this confidence.
But let me be clear: no single individual can deliver Zambia from its current challenges.
Our future will not be secured by one person’s sacrifice alone, but by the collective will of all citizens acting together under the Constitution.
Leadership matters, but it succeeds only when it is matched by the people’s readiness to play their part.
The Constitution, in Article 43, makes it plain that every citizen must be patriotic, promote national development, pay taxes, protect public property, uphold the Constitution, maintain law and order, and foster unity.
These are not my personal demands; they are our shared constitutional duties.
Service, therefore, is not the responsibility of leaders alone. It belongs to all of us. My own role, and the role of any leader, is meaningful only if the people themselves are prepared to shoulder these duties.
That is why I put forward ten questions, not as a politician chasing power,but as a fellow citizen inviting reflection on the path to renewal.
The Ten Questions
These ten questions are not a manifesto of promises. They are a mirror held up to all of us. Their purpose is to test whether we, as a people, are ready to accept our constitutional responsibilities and the hard choices required for national renewal.
Leadership alone cannot transform Zambia; only the collective will of disciplined, united, and responsible citizens can.
Our answers to these questions will determine whether our future is one of repeated failure or lasting progress.
1. Understanding the Crisis: Are we willing to understand, accept, and face the real scale and complexity of our national crisis, not just poverty and high prices, but the deeper cancers of corruption, wastage, weak institutions, and a population growing faster than schools, hospitals,jobs, and land can keep pace with? Until we face these realities honestly, solutions will remain superficial.
2. Sacrifice and Discipline: Are we prepared to make the hard sacrifices required for national renewal, to reject corruption in all its forms, to end the culture of wastage, and to embrace responsibility not only in leadership but also in family and community life? Strong families, responsible communities, and disciplined leadership are the foundation of a strong nation.
3. National Unity: Are we ready to rise above tribe, region, and party, and stand together as one people united by the higher goal of building a nation that works for all? For as long as we remain divided, we weaken our own strength, waste resources on rivalry, and open the door for corruption and poor leadership to flourish. Unity is not just an aspiration; it is the foundation of justice, stability, and lasting national progress.
4. Truth and Responsibility: Are we willing to demand and accept the truth, even when it is painful, rather than settle for comforting lies and political slogans? We must be willing to face hard truths about our economy, our governance, and our own conduct, because comforting lies have already cost us too much.
5. Shared Accountability: Are we willing to hold ourselves, as well as our leaders,accountable for the state of the nation? Accountability must extend from how leaders manage public resources and institutions to how each citizen fulfils their duties under the Constitution.
6. Choosing Leaders: Are we willing to elect men and women of integrity and competence,rather than those who trade in tribe, populism, or money to gain power? True democracy is not about the loudest promises, but about leaders who will put aside their own interests and strengthen all our national institutions, from the Judiciary, Parliament, and the Electoral Commission to law enforcement, the civil service, and local government, so that the rule of law is upheld, public resources are protected, and every citizen can trust the system that governs them.
7 Rule of Law and Constitution: Are we willing to know, defend, and live by our Constitution, recognising it as the foundation upon which strong institutions stand? For it is only through respect for the Constitution and the rule of law that leaders can be held accountable, institutions can function independently, and the promise of justice and equality can be made real for every Zambian.
8. Equality Before the Law: Are we willing to respect the law equally, so that no person is above it and no citizen is beneath its protection? The rule of law means nothing if it serves only the powerful. It must shield the weak, restrain the strong, and apply with the same force to all – whether rich or poor, leader or citizen, rural or urban. Only then can justice be more than a slogan; it becomes a lived reality for every Zambian.
9. Living Within Our Means: Are we willing to live within our means as a country, to reject reckless debt, pay taxes faithfully, and manage our resources with the same discipline that we demand in law and governance? Just as no leader should be above the law, no government should be above the limits of what the nation can afford.
Zambia cannot prosper by exporting raw copper and importing finished goods; we must add value here at home, build industries,and create jobs for our people. Economic self-discipline is the financial face of the rule of law;it is what turns sovereignty into prosperity.
10. Funding Our Own Democracy: And above all, are we willing to fund our own democracy,so that it belongs fully to Zambians and not to foreign donors or corrupt financiers?
Just as we must discipline our economy, we must also discipline our politics. A democracy paid for by outsiders tends to serve their interests, not ours.
A democracy bought by money-lenders and power-brokers will never be free. But if we fund it ourselves, through our taxes, our institutions, and our civic commitment, then it will reflect our values, protect our sovereignty, and secure our children’s future.
Closing Unless these questions can be answered in the affirmative, Zambia cannot escape its present struggles.
No leader, however sincere, can succeed without the people’s willingness to change.
But if the answer is YES, if together we are ready to choose leaders who put aside self-interest,to strengthen our institutions, to uphold the Constitution, to respect the law equally, to live within our means, and to fund our own democracy, then Zambia will stand firm on the foundations of discipline, sovereignty, and unity.
That future will not be built by one person alone, but by all of us acting together: each fulfilling our constitutional duty and demanding the same of those who lead us. I am ready to serve, but only if the people of Zambia are ready to walk this path with me. Renewal cannot come from my sacrifice alone, but from our collective decision to change course together.
By renewal, I mean a Zambia where corruption is rejected, institutions are strong, and the rule of law is respected; where families and communities take responsibility, citizens live responsibly within their means, and the Constitution is not just words on paper but the living foundation of our daily life.
The time has come for us, as one people, to face reality honestly and begin the work of national
Non-partisan civic message on constitutional duties under Article 43 of the Constitution
CATHOLIC BISHOPS REJECT CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL NO. 7 OF 2025, CALLS FOR INCLUSIVE PROCESS
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has reaffirmed its principled disapproval of the revised Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, warning that the current draft fails to uphold the foundational values of participatory democracy, transparency, and constitutional integrity.
In a statement issued today, the bishops stressed the need for a genuinely inclusive and consultative process that respects the voices of all stakeholders, including citizens, civil society, faith-based institutions, traditional leaders, and legal experts.
“We strongly urge that the ongoing judicial appointments process be reconsidered. The process must at all times and stages meet the standards of transparency, merit, and public accountability that our democracy demands,” the bishops said.
The ZCCB further exhorted Zambians to remain united under the banner of One Zambia, One Nation to ensure the steady growth of the country’s young democracy for the benefit of future generations.
The statement was signed at Kapingila House in Lusaka on October 1, 2025, by ZCCB President and Archbishop of Kasama, Most Rev. Ignatius Chama; ZCCB Vice President and Bishop of Solwezi, Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde; Archbishop of Lusaka, Most Rev. Dr. Alick Banda; and Archbishop of Ndola, Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Phiri.
PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE SPECIAL SITTING ON HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS AND RAINFALL OUTLOOK
Parliament will hold a one-day special sitting today to debate and adopt the report of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Presidential appointments to the Human Rights Commission.
A circular issued by the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Loveness Mayaka, and obtained by Falcon News in Lusaka, confirms that the sitting follows a resolution passed by the House Business Committee during its meeting on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
According to the Order Paper, Members of Parliament will deliberate on the nomination of Dr. Pamela Sambo as Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, with Dr. Felicity Kalunga proposed as Vice Chairperson. Other nominees include Bishop Emmanuel Chikoya, Ms. Panic Chilufya, Ms. Laura Miti, and Father Joseph Komakoma as Commissioners.
In addition, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is scheduled to present a ministerial statement on the 2025–2026 rainy season forecast.
POLITICAL ACTIVIST PREDICTS STRONGER TONSE ALLIANCE AHEAD OF 2026 DESPITE CONFUSION
Copperbelt political activist Tenson Manzi says the current turmoil in the Tonse Alliance is a normal part of the political process following the death of Alliance Chairman Edgar Changwa Lungu.
Speaking in an interview with, Mr. Manzi expressed optimism that the confusion will eventually pave the way for a strong leader to emerge.
He drew parallels with the Patriotic Front and the UPND, both of which overcame internal wrangles before regaining stability and strength.
Mr. Manzi urged Tonse Alliance members to resolve their differences amicably to ensure a smooth leadership transition and party unity.
Despite the challenges, he remains confident that the Alliance will emerge stronger and mount a serious challenge to the ruling UPND in 2026.
EFF PRESIDENT SLAMS FUEL PRICE HIKE AS “DAYLIGHT ROBBERY”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) President, Kasonde Mwenda, has criticized the Energy Regulation Board’s (ERB) decision to raise domestic fuel prices for October 2025, labeling the hike an “unjustifiable daylight robbery” against the Zambian people.
In a press statement released to Byta FM News on October 1, 2025, Mwenda noted that the adjustment—setting petrol at K30.58/litre and diesel at K26.20/litre—was allegedly justified by rising international oil prices and Kwacha depreciation, claims he says are false.
The EFF leader directly contested the ERB’s rationale, presenting counter-evidence that international Brent crude prices have significantly dropped and the Zambian Kwacha has appreciated by 17% since its low in March.
He alleged that a statistical review of the ERB’s data shows the Kwacha has been strengthening, not weakening, and that there is no meaningful link between current international oil prices and the sudden domestic price surge.
Mwenda described the October price adjustment as an anomaly that defies basic market fundamentals, calling it a systemic lack of transparency in the ERB’s pricing process.
The opposition leader disclosed that the EFF calculated the fair price for October 2025 to be K27.96/litre for petrol and K24.71/litre for diesel.
He pledged that an EFF-led government would abolish the current “unstable and manipulative monthly price revisions,” replacing them with a predictable, data-driven system based on transparent cost structures.
STATE MOVES TO APPEAL AGAINST ACQUITTAL OF CHILUFYA, HONEYBEE
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Court, High Court Division, has granted leave to the State to file an appeal challenging the Subordinate Court’s acquittal of Dr Chitalu Chilufya and eight others.
In this matter, Dr Chilufya, former Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Mulalelo Kakulubelwa, Wilson Lungu, Bonaventure Chilinde, Chomba Kaoma, three Honeybee directors Imran Lunat, Zakir Motala Abdurauf Motala, and Honey Bee Pharmacy Limited have been cited as respondents.
The nine were acquitted by then Lusaka Magistrate Chinunda Chiwaula following the withdrawal of the complaint by lawyer Joseph Chirwa. Chirwa had moved the court to prosecute the nine for various corruption charges.
In a ruling endorsed by High Court Judges Susan Wanjelani, Anne Malata-Ononuju and Vincent Siloka, the court stated that the nine were, on January 26, 2021, acquitted by Magistrate Chiwaula.
“The Affidavit in Support was sworn by Victor Choongo, a State Advocate in the employ of the National Prosecution Authority, the Applicant herein. The Deponent averred that on January 19, 2021, criminal proceedings were instituted under Section 19 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Zambia, in Cause Number 2SPD/027/21 against the Respondents by way of a Complaint by Joseph Chirwa. The Deponent added that though the Complaint and Charge Sheet were filed, the same were filed without the Director of Public Prosecution’s Consent to prosecute, as per exhibits marked ‘VC 1a- b,’” the ruling read in part.
“That on the same day, January 19, 2021, the Complainant filed a Notice of Withdrawal of the Complaint into Court, as per exhibit marked “VC-2”. Following the filing of a Notice to Withdraw, all the Respondents were acquitted by Honourable Chinunda Chiwaula on January 26, 2021, as per the Ruling exhibited as “VC-3″. The Deponent further deposed that on August 23, 2022, the Respondents appeared for Plea in Cause No. CRMPC/002/2022 before Honourable Chibwili after they were charged for a similar offence by the Anti-Corruption Commission but raised a Plea of Autrefois Acquit”.
The court noted that allowing the State to file an appeal in the case would not prejudice the respondents, stating that the prosecution could not cause an action against them earlier due to several applications and appeals that had been filed by the respondents.
“We have considered the arguments of both Parties. In our considered view, allowing this application will not in any way prejudice the Respondents. We say so because in allowing the Application the matter will be heard on its merits, as opposed to being disposed of on a technicality. Further, in allowing the Application, the ends of justice will be served in that both Parties will be afforded a fair hearing in line with Article 18 of the Constitution,” the ruling read in part.
“We say so because the period of four years is reasonable in the circumstances, taking into account the various Applications that were in the various Courts. Further, both Parties will be given time before an impartial tribunal to prosecute their case to the best of their abilities so that justice is not only done but seen to be done in tandem with the holding in R Vs Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy supra. As we state the above, we acknowledge that in the four years a lot could have happened to the Witnesses, but the serious allegations and the public nature of this case demands that the ends of justice be served for the benefit of all the Parties involved”.
The court therefore granted the State leave to file an appeal in the matter.
“Based on the foregoing, we find that this is a proper matter where we can exercise our discretion to extend time within which to file an Appeal. The Applicant’s Application for Leave to file Appeal out of time is hereby granted,” read the ruling.
LUBINDA DISMISSES TONSE ALLIANCE LEADERSHIP LIST AS UNAUTHORISED
Tonse Alliance Acting Chairperson Given Lubinda has rejected a list of purported alliance leaders released by Chris Zumani Zimba and Sean Tembo, declaring the names carry no authority.
Speaking on Diamond TV’s Breakfast Show, Lubinda clarified that only the Secretary General of the Tonse Council of Leaders, Raphael Nakacinda, has the mandate to convene meetings or issue official statements on behalf of the alliance.
Lubinda explained that the Tonse Alliance saw no need to hold a meeting regarding current matters, as the internal issues affecting the Patriotic Front were purely administrative in nature. He dismissed claims that the late chairperson, Edgar Lungu, had approved the disputed list, emphasising that any information originating outside the Secretary General’s office cannot be attributed to the Council of Leaders.
The statement comes days after chaos erupted at Sean Tembo’s residence, where a scheduled press briefing by some alliance leaders was disrupted by cadres believed to be linked to the Patriotic Front. The incident underscored growing tensions within the alliance.
The confusion reflects deepening divisions within the Tonse Alliance, with competing factions attempting to assert control over leadership structures. The power struggle threatens to destabilise the opposition coalition as different groups claim legitimacy and authority to speak on behalf of the organisation.
POLICE COUPLE LOSES PROPERTY IN SUNSET COMPOUND FIRE.
A police couple in Sunset Compound, Isoka District, has lost property worth over K15,000 after a fire gutted their house on September 30, 2025.
The incident occurred around 16:40 hours and was reported at Isoka Police Station by Constable Martha Kawina, 36, a traffic officer based at the station.
Muchinga Police Commanding Officer Denis Moola said the fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault from a socket where two phones were charging.
He explained that the flames quickly spread, destroying items including two wooden beds, a double mattress, one trunk, a table, four blankets, assorted clothes, shoes, and an incubator.
Brief facts indicate that the couple’s daughter was at home when she noticed smoke while watching television.
She alerted the family, but efforts to save the property failed as the fire spread rapidly. Fortunately, all occupants escaped unhurt.
Speaking to ISO FM News, Bernard Kapeso [husband], estimated the value of the property lost to be over K15,000 .
He thanked neighbours who rushed in to help put out the fire before it spread to nearby houses.
A member of the opposition Socialist Party in Monze, Nyanga Nsanzya, has described the proposed increment of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from K36.1 million to K40 million in 2026 by the government as a waste of resources.
Mr. Nsanzya has argued that local authorities, particularly in Monze, lack the leadership capacity to drive meaningful development, even with the current allocation
He has cited the utilization of funds meant to support youth education at Vavika Institute, noting that many young people are still complaining about not receiving the intended assistance.
Mr. Nsanzya has further claimed that CDF benefits are skewed towards those holding positions in the ruling UPND, rather than addressing the needs of vulnerable communities in the district.
Zimbabwe MP Demands Castration For Convicted Rapists A female Member of Parliament in Zimbabwe has demanded radical new punishments for rapists. Beatrice Nyamupinga has called for the physical castration of offenders. She stated that the nation’s women and girls are living under siege from violent men.
The proposal was delivered in Parliament on Tuesday. Nyamupinga, the Goromonzi East legislator, was addressing a point of national interest. She highlighted the alarming surge in rape cases across the country. Her focus was particularly on crimes committed against minors and elderly women.
“Women And Girls Are Under Siege” Nyamupinga did not mince her words as she described the current climate of fear. She argued that the existing legal framework is insufficient as a deterrent.
“As women and girls, we are under siege. Some men have declared war on us,” Nyamupinga said. “We don’t know what to do. It is high time that something is done against rapists, especially those who target children and old women.”
Her emotional address pointed to a growing public outcry for justice. According to the Herald, she stated that female MPs are being overwhelmed by appeals from the public. Citizens are demanding much harsher penalties for those convicted of sexual violence.
The legislator directly challenged the government to take decisive action. She suggested that new legislation is urgently needed to address the crisis. Nyamupinga proposed that this could originate from several government ministries or even as a Private Member’s Bill.
“I think the law is not harsh enough; maybe we should consider cutting off their organs once they are caught,” she stated. “Maybe a Bill should come from the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Health or as a Private Member’s Bill, but something should be done.”
Her comments have ignited a fierce national debate. The suggestion of physical mutilation as a judicial punishment is a controversial one. Yet, Nyamupinga presented it as a necessary response to an escalating war on women.
Considering All Options, Including Castration While her initial statement referred to “cutting off organs,” Nyamupinga later specified castration as a potential measure. She acknowledged that some might find such a punishment excessively severe. However, she insisted that the situation requires extreme solutions.
“As female MPs, we are inundated with calls for stiffer penalties. We are considering even approaching the President over the issue. Some may say cutting off the organs is too harsh; we may also consider castration.”
This statement confirms that the MP and her colleagues are prepared to escalate the matter to the highest level of government. The push for castration laws reflects a deep-seated frustration with the current state of justice for victims of rape in Zimbabwe.
