PF’s Confusion Is Self-Inflicted, Not UPND’s Burden
By; Tobbius C Hamunkoyo-LLB
Hon. Greyford Monde should be the last person to point fingers at UPND. It is undisputed fact that the confusion tearing the Patriotic Front (PF) apart is not UPND’s creation, but a direct result of PF’s arrogance, poor leadership, and disregard for its own constitution. Monde’s attempt to shift blame is pure political dishonesty.
Let us be factual here. Was it UPND that caused Miles Sampa to declare himself PF president against other factions? Was it UPND that made the late Edgar Lungu handpick Given Lubinda as Acting President without following procedure? Was it UPND that forced PF members to pay large sums of money for a convention that never happened? Was it UPND that allowed Davies Mwila to preside over a party drowning in illegality? Clearly not. PF’s wounds are self-inflicted, full stop,and the majority of Zambians know about this.
Look at the circus within PF, Chishimba Kambwili a strong man in PF was suspended and reinstated like a yo-yo. Harry Kalaba stormed out, citing corruption. Stephen Kampyongo and others openly fought over succession. And today, Robert Chabinga, who once pledged loyalty, now declares PF is confused and positions himself as an alternative leader. This chaos is not engineered by UPND, it is a consequence of PF’s failure to resolve its own disputes mwebantu.
We all know and it is a notorious fact that conflicts and disputes will always exist wherever human beings gather for a common purpose, in music groups, churches, workplaces, or political parties. What differentiates strong institutions or teams from weak ones is not the absence of conflict, but the capacity to resolve it.
Mr. Monde should not accuse HH and the UPND administration of creating conflicts in PF. What matters is how those conflicts are managed. And that is where UPND has always excelled.
President Hakainde Hichilema managed conflict in UPND for over 15 years in opposition with wisdom and determination,you may recall that most people joined and left UPND, HH’s leadership ability kept the party strong. That is why UPND remained intact until a landslide victory in 2021.
And to be clear, Mr. Monde, you yourself are not a stranger to political shifts. You once stood with UPND but chose to abandon the party. You contributed in your time, yes, but when the going got tough, you walked away instead of enduring the long struggle. That is the difference between you and Hakainde Hichilema, you lacked the discipline and resilience to stay the course, while HH kept UPND intact for over 15 years until victory. So you of all people should be the last to accuse UPND of “stomach politics” or protectionism, when your own political journey is littered with inconsistencies and opportunism.
If PF is as “intact” as Monde claims, then why do they have three factions, one backing Miles Sampa, one clinging to Edgar Lungu, another orbiting around Lubinda, while Chabinga positions himself as a rebel president? Why are PF’s future and legitimacy being decided in courtrooms instead of democratic conventions? PF is a broken party, crippled by its own greed and confusion.
PF’s crisis is PF’s burden. Monde must stop exporting that chaos to UPND, because Zambians know that PF’s fall is the work of PF leaders themselves, not anyone else.
Shi Mumbi boasts about having terrible grade 12 results but making it big in comedy
RENOWNED comedian Aubrey Luo, popularly known as Shi Mumbi has boasted about how he has terrible grade 12 results but making it big in the entertainment industry with his comedy.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AwpkNe3EB/
Despite having unimpressive results in his final year at Secondary School, he shared that he has been able to turn his life around and achieve success, showing that academic performance isn’t the only measure of a person’s potential, and that with hard work and determination, everything is possible.
Unlike many who strive for high grades in school, Shi Mumbi was a different gem as he decided to knock off from his school journey with points that would need a calculator to count.
He accepted his less than perfect scores and chose to focus on his strengths in comedy, proving that success can manifest in unexpected forms.
Speaking when he appeared on KennyT One on One podcast, the comedian proudly shared how he transformed his ‘nines’ into a bunch of success.
“Isikulu nalipwisha, I completed school very well but my grades weren’t ok, I knocked off with nines and I quickly thought that the nines would not take me anywhere but this prompted me to seek alternative paths, leading me to discover my passion for comedy,” he said.
With his appearance just showing comedy, he playfully contrasted his own journey with that of his former classmates, who achieved academic success but now struggle to find employment in Zambia.
“There are guys I was with in the class, abaiche abamano (intelligent pupils) who had proper grades like six points, and now have degrees, masters, PHDs and so on but ba swine baleshugulukafye nama paper (they are moving around with their qualifications) mu Zambia,” he said.
“If they move with a plane, it means it’s a Proflight to ndola but look at me with nines, ifyabupubafye, going to the US.”
Shi Mumbi’s talent has propelled him to global recognition as he now catches flights and not feelings.
His talent has enabled him to embark on international tours and perform in esteemed countries like Denmark, US among others, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences.
Recognising the gift that has enabled him to achieve more than he ever imagined, he attributes his success to divine providence.
“I thank God for this talent he has given me, it has made me go places I thought I wouldn’t,” he stated.
He further implored others to embrace their unique abilities and pursue their dreams with faith and determination…https://kalemba.news/entertainment/shi-mumbi-boasts-about-having-terrible-grade-12-results-but-making-it-big-in-comedy/
…citing low income and access to quality free education
Lusaka… Friday September 5, 2025 – The Socialist Party (SP) has reiterated its call for free education up to university level, stressing that it is the collective responsibility of society to ensure that every citizen has access to education.
According to the party, the proposed policy is aimed at removing financial barriers that often hinder talented individuals from pursuing higher education.
Supporters of the idea have argued that free education would empower young people, promote equality, and contribute to economic growth by building a well-educated workforce.
They further pointed out that the absence of educational loans would allow graduates to enter the job market without the burden of debt, thereby enabling them to invest more freely in their futures.
In contrast, the Capitalist parties have continued to back a system of student loans for higher education, under which graduates are expected to repay borrowed funds after completing their studies.
Proponents of this model have claimed that it encourages financial independence and personal responsibility, while also offering financial support to students who would otherwise struggle to pay tuition fees.
However, critics of the loan system have warned that it can leave graduates with heavy debts, potentially restricting their career choices and undermining their long-term financial stability.
Speaking on behalf of the Socialist Party Youths in Lusaka, District Youth Information and Publicity Secretary Mr. Paul Mulenga stated that Zambia needed a socialist government because of the low income levels among its citizens.
He emphasized that the population could not afford to continue “suffering” under the current system and urged people to vote for change in the 2026 elections by supporting the Socialist Party and its leader, Dr. Fred M’membe.
ZAMBIA MISSING ON THE TOP 10 BEST-GOVERNED AFRICAN NATIONS OF 2025
The quality of governance remains a defining factor in shaping African countries’ development trajectory, economic stability, and social cohesion.
The quality of governance is crucial for a nation’s development, economic stability, and social cohesion.
The Country Governance and Government Index (CGGI) ranks 120 countries using 35 indicators of governance.
From 2021 to 2025, more than half of assessed nations experienced a decline in governance performance.
The Country Governance and Government Index (CGGI), an annual ranking that evaluates 120 governments worldwide across 35 unique indicators , offers the most comprehensive assessment of national governance capabilities and effectiveness.
By measuring factors such as policy implementation, institutional efficiency, and public accountability, the CGGI provides a detailed picture of how governments perform in meeting citizens’ needs.
Between 2021 and 2025, the Index revealed a worrying trend: more than half of the ranked countries experienced a decline in governance performance, with uneven progress even among those that showed improvement.
The report further highlights that Global governance scores are projected to diverge between 2021 and 2025. Europe & North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, Central & West Asia will see modest gains, while Latin America & the Caribbean and Africa are expected to decline.
This uneven trend points to a widening governance gap, with stronger regions consolidating progress as weaker ones fall further behind.
The governance gap is particularly pronounced across regions. African nations, along with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, continue to rank among the weakest performers and have seen the sharpest declines over the past five years.
By contrast, countries in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific which were already leading, have largely improved their governance outcomes over the same period.
Against this backdrop, a few African nations stand out for their robust institutions, effective policymaking, and consistent governance performance.
These countries exemplify best practices on the continent, highlighting how strong governance can drive economic growth, political stability, and public trust.
Mauritius has been ranked the best-governed country in Africa in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), placing 51st globally with a score of 0.553 and holding the top continental position for the fifth consecutive year.
Rwanda, which ranked 59th with a score of 0.507, was recognized as the world’s best-performing low-income country, showing that national wealth is not a prerequisite for effective governance.
Botswana, ranked 61st, was commended for judicial digitalisation reforms , while Morocco, at 75th, was noted for progress in data transparency and digital infrastructure.
South Africa, despite ongoing fiscal pressures, secured 77th place and continues to serve as a continental benchmark for institutional capacity.
According to Dinesh Naidu, Director of Knowledge at the Chandler Institute of Governance, Africa continues to face governance challenges but has also shown signs of progress. Speaking at the regional launch of the Index in Pretoria, which brought together policymakers, academics, and practitioners, Naidu noted that Africa’s average score remains the lowest of all regions, despite modest improvement between 2024 and 2025.
As a region, Africa still has significant work to do in improving the quality of governance,”he said. “However, the recent progress recorded suggests an upward trajectory. Even in a challenging global environment, high-performing African countries are making governance advances that can inspire peers across the continent.”
THE OPPOSITION PF CRACKS IN CHAMA SOUTH; 500 DITCHES THE PARTY
6/09/25
In a significant development for the ruling United Party for Nation Development UPND, approximately 500 Patriotic Front (PF) sympathizers in Chama South led by their MP Davison Mun’gandu have ditched the party to join the ruling UPND.
The crossing took place at Chama South Boarding School, where Eastern Province Minister who is also UPND Chairperson, Hon. Peter Phiri, addressed party members.
And in welcoming the new members, Hon. Phiri urged existing UPND members to coexist and warmly welcome the newcomers.
Hon Phiri emphasized on the importance of unity, cautioning the old members not to start discriminating over old members stating that the party’s strength lies in its numbers.
MONDE EXPOSES “STOMACH POLITICS” IN PF, LINKS REBEL LEADERS TO UPND PROTECTION
Former Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Hon. Greyford Monde has hit out at Robert Chabinga, branding him as a betrayer of the Patriotic Front (PF) and openly declaring that he is operating under the protection of the UPND government.
Monde reminded Zambians that while PF went through a difficult transition, the process was guided by the party constitution and produced one leader. He emphasized that although there was a power struggle, it was all within the constitutional framework. “At the end of that process, PF emerged with one president. That is what democracy is about,” he said.
The former minister condemned Chabinga for publicly declaring that PF is full of confusion while at the same time claiming to be a leader of the party. “How can you call yourself president of a political party, yet go around campaigning against it? To say that confusion is in our blood what kind of leadership is that? That is not leadership, that is betrayal. That is someone speaking with their stomach, not their brain,” Monde charged.
He further declared that Chabinga is only surviving politically because of the protection he enjoys from the ruling UPND. “If I were to say half the things he has said about diplomats and national leaders, I wouldn’t last 30 minutes outside. But look at the security and protection he enjoys. This is a man who has insulted diplomats, threatened people, and committed political atrocities yet he goes scot-free. That tells you everything about who is protecting him and what his true agenda is,” Monde stated.
Despite Chabinga’s attacks on PF, Monde assured Zambians that the party remains intact and resilient. He warned that the people must not be misled by individuals “on the UPND payroll” who are working tirelessly to weaken the opposition ahead of 2026. “PF is strong. Do not be deceived by those who have sold out. Their mission is to destroy from within, but Zambians know better,” Monde concluded.
Today marks 90 days since former President Edgar Lungu died. He remains unburied, parties have not been able to agree.
The standoff has been feasible and growing but the situation is calming down. The parties – family and government have begun talks but there is announcement that the matter will resume on Monday in court.
Pretoria High Court of South Africa will on Monday, September 8th, 2025 hear former President Edgar Lungu’s family’s application for leave to appeal its judgment, which ordered that the body of Mr. Lungu be repatriated to Zambia for a State Funeral.
The matter will be heard in open court at 09:30 hours before Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba and two other Judges.
This case arises from an application by former First Lady Esther Lungu and seven others, who are seeking a private burial for Mr. Lungu, against the Zambian Government plans that the sixth President be buried in Zambia with full state funeral protocols and military honours.
The hearing date has been set following the Pretoria High Court’s indefinite adjournment on August 18th 2025.
The adjournment was granted after a joint request from the legal teams representing the Zambian Government and the Lungu family.
NKANA Independent Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu says under the UPND government, there is selective application of the law.
And Mpundu says the UPND is the worst performing government in Zambia’s history.
In an interview with Daily Revelation on Tuesday, Mpundu said he was arrested and taken to court for telling his supporters to defend themselves when attacked.
He said President Hakainde Hichilema when he was in opposition used to do the same, and no one arrested him.
“So contrary to those who are saying there is democracy, I am facing court issues for simply speaking and for simply saying, exactly what HH used to say in opposition”.
“When l called the opposition members to defend themselves, didn’t HH call on his supporters to be defending themselves?” Asked Mpundu.
“HH went to a point where he was saying, defend yourselves and even attack them ten times. Who arrested him? Nobody. HH said if they came with pangas, also attack them with pangas.
26 STOLEN CATTLE SLAIN AND BURIED ON FARM IN NAMWALA
In a major breakthrough against livestock theft, Namwala Police have uncovered a gruesome scene involving the illegal slaughter and concealment of suspected stolen cattle.
The discovery was made on a farm in the Kawilihi area under Chief Mukobela, following a tip-off received on September 2, 2025.
According to a press statement issued by Southern Province Commanding Officer Auxensio Daka, police acted swiftly on the intelligence, obtaining a search warrant on September 3 and conducting a full-scale operation the following day between 05:30 and 14:00 hours.
Upon arriving at the farm, which belongs to Mr. Shepande Kalapula, officers encountered four male individuals.
Two of the men—identified as Mr. Anold Kalapula (35) and Mr. Mulonda Mapanza (26)—were apprehended at the scene, while two others fled into nearby bushland and remain unidentified.
A detailed search of the premises led to a grisly discovery in Paddock No. 03, where three pits concealed under firewood were unearthed. Excavation revealed cattle bones and heads.
Further digging in Paddock No. 04 exposed five more pits hidden under dry tree branches, containing additional cattle remains including heads, bones, rotten hides, and cow dung.
In total, remains from twenty-six (26) slaughtered cattle were discovered.
“The discovery points to a well-organized stock theft operation involving illegal slaughter and an attempt to destroy evidence by burying carcasses,” said Commanding Officer Daka.
He confirmed that two suspects are in custody while investigations continue, with efforts underway to identify and apprehend the two who escaped.
Police are calling on the public to assist in the ongoing investigation and report any information that may lead to the arrest of additional suspect
HON. MIKE MPOSHA DELIVERS 100% ON HIS PROMISES TO MUNALI CONSTITUENCY
Lusaka 05th September 2025
By Jack Makayi
Munali Member of Parliament and Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Mike Mposha has successfully fulfilled all the promises he made to the people of Munali Constituency. Recently, Hon. Mposha toured all six wards of his constituency to inspect various projects nearing completion.
Key Projects Delivered Under His Leadership:
1. Education Infrastructure Expansion
A 1×3 classroom block has been constructed at Kapwelyomba Primary School, and a 2×3 classroom block at Kaunda Square Secondary School.
These projects have been prioritized following the government’s Free Education Policy, which has brought many pupils back to school. Through the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Hon. Mposha has focused on expanding classroom space to accommodate the growing number of learners.
2. Sports Development
Kaunda Square Stage 1 and Mahatma have received modern football pitches, a promise that residents had waited for over decades.
Sports, especially football, have been a key need for the youth in the area who previously faced challenges due to the poor state of playing fields. Hon. Mposha’s intervention has revived hope for talented young players, and plans are underway to extend similar developments to Kalikiliki and other compounds.
3. Health Infrastructure
A modern health post at Gripps (Munali Ward 38) is almost complete and will soon be commissioned. For the first time, residents of Kamanga will have access to quality health services within their community. This milestone reflects the commitment of the New Dawn Government under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema to improve healthcare across Zambia.
4. Teacher Housing
A 1×2 flat teachers’ house at Chainda Primary School is set to be handed over to provide decent accommodation for teachers, further enhancing education standards in the area.
The community has expressed gratitude to Hon. Mposha and the New Dawn Government for responding to their long-standing challenges. Many residents have since endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema to continue his leadership beyond 2026, citing visible development and improved livelihoods.
Elon Musk has a reported $1 trillion pay package on the table if he gets his way.
The Tesla boss, 54, joined the business a year after it was founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning.
He led the car company’s first investment round and quickly became a chairman of the board.
In 2009, however, a legal settlement granted Musk and two others as having official co-founder status.
At the time of writing, the public limited company is worth approximately $1.09 trillion
Despite his political views and controversial moments, Musk’s influence on Tesla is clearly valued by the fellow shareholders.
The former DOGE boss had a $56 billion compensation package approved in 2018, only for a Delaware court to deny it in 2024 on grounds that the Tesla board’s approval process lacked independence and failed to fully inform shareholders.
Tesla are set to appeal the decision to the Delaware Supreme Court, and perhaps to retain Musk, they unveiled a staggering new pay package, as reported by Bloomberg News.
The SpaceX boss, already one of the richest men in the world, could receive $1 trillion if he clears various targets, including managing to sell 20 million vehicles, put out one million robotaxis, delivering one million humanoid robots and boosting adjusted EBITDA to $400 billion, reports the New York Post.
This means that the projected market cap of the car company would rise to at least $8.5 trillion.
If he hits each mark, his stake in Tesla would reportedly rise to at least 25 percent, which gives him roughly 29 percent voting control.
“Simply put, retaining and incentivising Elon is fundamental to Tesla achieving these goals and becoming the most valuable company in history,” board chair Robyn Denholm and director Kathleen Wilson-Thompson wrote in a letter to shareholders.
It’s said that Musk pushed the board for a new deal, threatening to prioritise AI and robotics ventures outside Tesla.
It comes after he set up artificial intelligence startup xAI, which has found its way onto X.
“It shows that the life blood of Tesla solely relies on one man, and the company knows that,” David Wagner, head of equity and portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors, added.
“They want to make sure that he stays around for quite some time.”
Gene Munster, managing partner of Deepwater Asset Management, said: “Tesla’s board recognises that there’s a huge opportunity over the next decade, and they want to start lining things up to get them in a place for a potentially huge outcome.”
MAID IN COURT FOR STABBING EMPLOYERS CHILD IN FACE WITH KNIFE
A MAID of Chilenje Township is in court for allegedly stabbing her employer’s eight-year-old daughter in the face with a knife.
Bathsheba Phiri, who is in her 20s, has been charged with assault on a child, an offence which attracts a minimum mandatory sentence of five years imprisonment, in line with the Children’s Code Act.
Allegations are that on March 31 this year, the accused allegedly assaulted the child.
When Bathsheba first appeared before Lusaka magistrate Idah Phiri, she pleaded not guilty to the allegation.
During trial yesterday, the court heard that the child wanted to play with the maid, who was uninterested, before she stabbed her with a knife she was using to cut vegetables.
BAULENI FATHER MÜRDERED BY HIS SON OVER CELL PHONE CHARGER👇
MURDER – WOODLANDS POLICE STATION
September 05,2025
Woodlands Police Station, through Bauleni Police Post, today September 05, 2025 at 10:30 hours, received a report of murder from Mary Lungu aged 17 of Kapandula area, Bauleni Compound who reported that her father, Chizola Lungu aged 63, was murdered by his son, Collins Lungu aged 19, of the same residence. The incident occurred on September 04, 2025, at around 19:00 hours in Bauleni Compound.
Brief facts are that on the material date and time, the accused person returned home and got his father’s phone charger intending to charge his phone. The father stopped him, stating that the charger might be damaged. This angered the accused person, who then began exchanging words with the deceased. The altercation escalated, and the suspect assaulted his father using fists before grabbing a stool, which he used to hit the victim in the abdomen and head, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious
It is alleged that after the assault, the suspect told the victim that he would return later to finish him off, after which he left the house. Police were alerted and visited the scene where they learnt that the victim had already been taken to Bauleni Clinic and later referred to UTH, where he unfortunately died while receiving treatment. The body has since been deposited in the UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem.
A docket of case has been opened, and investigations have been instituted. No arrest has been made so far, but a manhunt for the suspect has been launched.
LUSAKA BASED TIKTOKER NABBED FOR HATE SPEECH AND HARASSMENT👇
WARNING TO ALL WOULD-BE OFFENDERS
September 05,2025-The Zambia Police Service wishes to sternly warn all would-be offenders that any person who engages in criminal conduct, whether physically or through the use of cyberspace, will be pursued, apprehended, and prosecuted in accordance with the Laws of Zambia.
In line with this warning, the Zambia Police Service reports that a suspect running a TikTok page under the name Biblevegass has been apprehended.
The suspect has been identified as Hendrix Mumbi Mulenga, aged 38, of an unmarked house number in Chelston, who is also employed as an Assistant Driller at a named Drilling Company.
He has since been detained in police custody for:
1. Prohibition of Humiliation and Harassment contrary to Section 22 of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025.
2. Expressing Hatred Towards Tribe or Race contrary to Section 70(1) of Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
The Zambia Police Service reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the cyberspace and physical environment remain safe and free from harassment, hate speech, and all forms of criminality. We urge members of the public to use social media responsibly and in line with the law.
The public is further reminded that freedom of expression does not entail the right to abuse, harass, or incite hatred. Anyone found abrogating the law will be dealt with firmly.
Floyd Shivambu’s Afrika Mayibuye Movement to contest all wards in 2026 local elections
Former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu has launched the Afrika Mayibuye Movement as a registered political party and announced plans to contest every ward in South Africa’s 2026 local government elections.
Speaking at a press briefing in Midrand, Shivambu said the party was born out of extensive nationwide consultations and promised to provide “a revolutionary alternative” focused on unemployment, inequality, land reform, and service delivery.
The party unveiled its Restoration Manifesto, which identifies 100 pressing national challenges and emphasizes economic justice, social equity, and cultural preservation.
Its colors, black, green, gold, red, and purple symbolize African identity, land, wealth, liberation, and royalty, while its logo features a clenched fist holding a spear pen.
Shivambu, expelled from the MK Party in July, rejected claims that Afrika Mayibuye is a “cult” or “family project,” vowing to win control of municipalities in 2026 and set the stage for a national push in 2029. “We are not here to participate; we are here to win,” he said.
Political analysts say the new party could add diversity to South Africa’s political landscape but faces skepticism over Shivambu’s track record. With its membership portal now live, Afrika Mayibuye will focus on mobilizing youth and marginalized communities ahead of the polls.
One of Vladimir Putin’s preferred mouthpieces has issued a new threat to the UK over Britain’s aid for Ukraine.
The government recently announced that over a billion quid’s worth of equipment and military support had been sent to Ukraine to help them fight off a Russian invasion which started over three years ago.
British Defence Secretary John Healey recently visited Kyiv and announced that money from frozen Russian assets had helped to pay for this new package of aid for Ukraine.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many Russian assets in other countries were frozen, including those in the UK, and there’s been a discussion over what to do with them since then.
Outright confiscating them is controversial, but several countries are using the profits from frozen Russian assets to fund support for Ukraine and Russia is not happy.
The UK government said that in the last 50 days it has supplied 4.7 million rounds of small arms ammunition, 60,000 artillery shells, rockets and missiles, over 2,500 drones, more than 200 electronic warfare systems, 100 light weapons, 30 vehicles and some air defence and counter drone equipment.
In response to this, Dmitry Medvedev, who Putin once made into a puppet president of Russia for one term so he could get around the term limits and return to the job, is one of the more vocal Russians and has issued a new threat to the UK.
He claimed that Russia could seize ‘valuables of the British crown’ in retaliation and posted on Telegram that they might take more Ukrainian territory in response.
If it was that easy for Russia to take Ukrainian territory they’d already have done it, as Ministry of Defence experts say it would take Putin’s armies over four more years to capture the territory they’re demanding in a peace deal.
Medvedev said: “Given that the money cannot be recovered in court for obvious reasons, our country has only one way to return the valuables: return it in kind.
“That is ‘Ukrainian land’ and other immovable and movable property located on it. British thieves transferred Russian money to neo-Nazis. Consequences? Britain committed an offence.”
Russian officials have repeatedly claimed that Ukrainian governments since 2014, when Ukraine ousted their pro-Russian government, are a ‘neo-Nazi regime’ which is a wildly inaccurate assertion.
Much of what Russian officials say is dramatic and bombastic with little foundation in fact, after a while you just sort of learn to put little stock in what they say.
Putin’s propagandists like making threats aimed towards the UK, with them claiming Britain ‘should be nuked off the map’ and alluding to a ‘painful’ nuclear apocalypse if they don’t get their own way.
Manicaland Man Stabbed To Death After Refusing To Share His Beer A man from Chipinge, Manicaland, was stabbed to death in cold blood after refusing to share his beer. The shocking incident occurred under Chief Mahenye on September 4, 2025.
According to The Mirror Masvingo, the victim, identified as Norest Mayengana (33), was killed in front of stunned onlookers.
In a post on X, The Mirror Masvingo reported:
“Manicaland Police is looking for information leading to the arrest of Jenine Mukurukuji who allegedly stabbed Norest Mayengana (33) in cold blood for refusing to share his beer. The murder happened in broad day light and in front of petrified onlookers who could do nothing as the accused wiped blood from his okapi knife, folded it and casually walked away.”
The post added that the killing left many witnesses traumatised.
Police on the hunt Police in Manicaland have launched a manhunt for Mukurukuji. They confirmed that he fled the scene after the stabbing.
Authorities have appealed to the public for assistance. The call for information has been widely circulated on X, with the post tagged to several official accounts.
The appeal reads:
“Police in Manicaland is looking for information leading to the arrest of Mukurukuji.”
Witnesses left terrified Eyewitnesses were left helpless as events unfolded. They reportedly watched in horror as Mukurukuji wiped blood from the knife before walking away.
One line in the report captured the shock:
“The murder happened in broad day light and in front of petrified onlookers who could do nothing as the accused wiped blood from his okapi knife, folded it and casually walked away.”
Chelsea FC Women, the defending Women’s Super League (WSL) champions, used their opening game of the season against Manchester City W.F.C to make a statement for change.
The squad took to the field on Friday night (5 September) in shorts marked with simulated period blood stains, part of a partnership with Here We Flo, the award-winning period care brand founded by women of colour.
Here We Flo are the official back-of-shorts sponsor for Chelsea Women for the 2025/26 season, and are focused on removing the stigma behind period shame in football and beyond.
They are aiming to raise awareness of menstrual health and period empowerment, as for years, period blood in the media has been sanitised with blue liquid.
‘We Don’t Bleed Blue. We Bleed. Period.’ is the new campaign designed to challenge the outdated beliefs surrounding menstruation.
The eight-time WSL winners became the first club to hire a menstrual cycle coach, marking their decision to ditch the white shorts.
Similarly, Here We Flo have have made their own mark in the period care sector with impressive campaigns, a women-of-colour-founded Fempire, and products designed for not only people, but the planet.
Here We Flo’s range includes ultra-absorbent pads and silky-soft liners made with organic bamboo, organic cotton tampons free from synthetic fibres, and size-inclusive period pants made with sustainably sourced cotton.
Proudly B Corp certified and women-led, Flo is the UK’s fastest-growing period care challenger.
• 90 percent don’t believe periods are shown realistically in ads or entertainment
• 83 percent of Brits want people to speak more openly about periods
• 82 percent have hidden a tampon or pad up their sleeve
• 80 percent say they’d feel ashamed if they leaked in public
Susan Allen-Augustin, Co-Founder of Here We Flo, said: “Women’s football is one of the most powerful platforms for change, and with Chelsea FC Women’s, we’re using that spotlight to shatter period stigma.
“These players are role models on and off the pitch, showing the world that strength and success don’t pause for our cycles. Together, we’re proving that when we talk openly about periods, we empower everyone to play, thrive, and win without shame– blood, sweat and all.”
Aki Mandhar, CEO of Chelsea FC Women, added: “At Chelsea we want to break down barriers and inspire change. We want to reset the narrative about periods, normalise them and in doing so empower and inspire the next generation of young girls, whether they play sport or not.
“Periods should be a source of strength and confidence for girls, not a hindrance. We are thrilled to be joining forces with Here we Flo on this campaign.
“They are challenging the status quo when it comes to period products and together we can change perceptions for the better.”
Pokello’s lavish Portofino trip makes waves in Italian press The extravagant behaviour of socialite Pokello Nare, wife of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, has been splashed across the pages of an Italian newspaper, Il Secolo XIX. The coverage described her luxury getaway with friends in Portofino, Italy, sparking criticism back home in Zimbabwe.
Italian paper details ‘Dolce Vita’ lifestyle According to Il Secolo XIX, Pokello Nare travelled with eleven friends to Portofino, where they indulged in what the newspaper called the “Dolce Vita.”
The article stated:
“The extravagant expenses of Pokello Nare, wife of the son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, with eleven friends. They spent two days in Portofino under the banner of the ‘Dolce Vita,’ but also presenting a fashion brand, enjoying the charm of beach resorts, fashion boutiques, shops in the square, and nautical brokers.”
It further highlighted that the group engaged in luxury shopping, cocktails, and rides on a motorboat, while also frequenting one of Portofino’s most exclusive beach clubs, Carillon Beach in Paraggi.
The paper added:
“Pokello and her group of friends arrived in Portofino determined to have fun and ignore the controversies that, inevitably, accompanied their every step back home in Zimbabwe.”
Backlash and political reaction The trip has drawn mixed reactions. Opposition figures in Zimbabwe reportedly condemned the display of wealth.
Il Secolo XIX reported:
“The opposition has condemned the ostentation, while the ruling party has greeted it with a sense of scandal and embarrassment. The political opposition accused them of wasteful luxury in the face of a population struggling with poverty.”
Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono also shared his thoughts on X on 5 September 2025, saying he had recently spoken to a South African business mogul about the incident.
He wrote:
“He said that when the First Family lives in golden excess while the nation starves, it is not leadership, it is looting dressed as power.”
Chin’ono added that the mogul had questioned why President Mnangagwa “allows such embarrassment from his family members while ordinary Zimbabweans struggle to find a meal to eat.”
Pokello responds in Portofino Despite the controversy, Pokello herself expressed happiness about her stay in Italy. Speaking to the newspaper during her trip, she was quoted as saying:
“We are having a very good time, we are very happy about being here, also because the locals have been very welcoming and generous. Portofino is truly beautiful, and the shops are very well stocked. That’s why we made this effort.”
The report concluded that while her trip caused uproar in Zimbabwe, the businesses of Portofino welcomed the spending spree, with one local noting that the group “certainly did not go unnoticed.”
A Nigerian man has taken to social media to share his story about how his newlywed wife for two months has already cheating on her.
The man, who goes by the name Osayande Rapheal Osaretin shared his story via a Facebook post where he explained how it all happened.
According to the man, he and his wife got married in June 2025. His wife’s other partner has however been married since 2017.
Raphael revealed that his wife and the said man had been together before they got married and their relationship still went on during their marriage.
The man has been sending money and support to his wife including buying her a 2004 Toyota Camry during their wedding period.
Raphael revealed that although he has caught them red-handed, his wife still doesn’t want to accept that she is cheating.
According to him, the cheating pair had been planning to travel abroad before he came into the picture.
When he proposed ending the marriage amicably, the wife refused. He even called her family and pastor to intervene, but to no avail.
“My deepest hurt has been watching my wife protect another man she has been having an affair with, all because of her plans to leave the country,” he wrote.
Raphael also shared photos of his wife’s lover with his own wife.
In Africa, homosexuality is heavily frowned upon and comes with heavy criticisms and societal judgment.
This has followed most Africans everywhere, whether based in the continent or outside, Africans still stigmatize those who are of the act.
During a recent Ugandan event in the US, a Ugandan man was denied entry by the organizers after he presented himself as gay.
A Ugandan transgender woman, Keem Love, was reportedly denied entry to the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) Convention 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, over the weekend.
The incident, captured in a viral video, shows Love confronting security personnel at the event, and alleging discrimination based on her gender identity.
After being denied entry, his masculine side kicked in as he began acting like a man. Keem began arguing and shouting with the tone of a man. “Is it because I’m gay?” he asked.
Onlookers confronted him to calm down while others recorded but he was not perturbed. “You fu*king ruined my night,” he shouted at them as he paced up and down in fury.
The scene has garnered lots of traction with most Ugandans applauding the event organizers for denying him entry.
Nigeria and Benin Demand FIFA Dock Points From South Africa Over Ineligible Player
As the battle for qualification in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, Nigeria and Benin have publicly demanded that FIFA dock points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player.
They argue that the governing body’s silence risks undermining the integrity of the competition.
FIFA’s Silence Raises Alarm According to SowetanLive, South Africa’s use of midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win over Lesotho — despite his suspension — has left rival nations fuming. FIFA has yet to announce a ruling, and the uncertainty comes as decisive fixtures loom.
Benin coach Gernot Rohr expressed frustration at the lack of clarity:
“It is not normal that we don’t know the situation about the points on the log table before our games this week. It is very, very strange. Normally, South Africa should lose three points and they should go to Lesotho. But nobody knows why FIFA has not taken this decision.”
Nigeria Echoes the Call The Nigeria Football Federation echoed Rohr’s demands in a statement this week, insisting that FIFA must act quickly.
“The world still awaits FIFA’s decision,” the federation said.
Both Nigeria and Benin believe the outcome of the disciplinary process could directly affect who qualifies from the group, especially as they remain in tight competition with South Africa at the top.
Broos Concedes Error but Holds Firm South Africa, however, appear unmoved. Bafana coach Hugo Broos admitted to the mistake but argued that the three points should not be lost since Lesotho did not protest.
“We did something bad, we did something we shouldn’t do, but there was no complaint,” he said.
High Stakes in Group C South Africa currently lead Group C with 13 points, while Rwanda and Benin follow on eight each. Nigeria sit on seven, Lesotho on six, and Zimbabwe are bottom with four.
On Friday, Benin are set to meet Zimbabwe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast — a game whose significance could grow depending on FIFA’s response to the dispute.
The official White House social media account shared a baffling meme about comedian Rosie O’Donnell after Donald Trump threatened to revoke her US citizenship.
President Trump has made no secret of his disdain for former talk show host, launching numerous attacks on O’Donnell’s appearance and career over the years.
And it would appear the 79-year-old isn’t feeling any less petty now that he’s in office either, as he appears hellbent on taking their feud to the next level by revoking O’Donnell’s US citizenship.
“Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship,” Trump ranted on Truth Social back in July.
“She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her.”
The president has once again doubled down on his threat, this time posting a digitally altered image of O’Donnell, which appears to have been stretched, alongside the message: “As previously mentioned, we are giving serious thought to taking away Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship. She is not a Great American and is, in my opinion, incapable of being so!”
Perhaps even more bizarre was the decision to repost the meme on the official White House X account, which a member of the press team did later in the day.
This wouldn’t be the first time the account has waded into a debate in poor taste either, as it has previously referred to the US leader as ‘daddy’ on Instagram and single-handedly tanked the ‘Nothing beats a Jet 2 holiday’ meme by overlaying it on a video of ICE deportations.
When did Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell’s feud start? The Trump-O’Donnell feud stretches back to the mid-noughties.
In late 2006, O’Donnell criticised Trump’s decision not to fire a former Miss USA contestant over revelations of drug use and referred to him as a ‘snake oil salesman’, prompting Trump to call her a ‘real loser’ and ‘out of control’ (via CNN).
In the 19 years since, itis been nothing but continuous back and forth insults between the pair.
Can Donald Trump actually revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s citizenship? No, President Trump cannot strip O’Donnell of her US citizenship.
As the 63-year-old comedian is American by birth, the only way she will cease to be a US citizen is by relinquishing her passport.
“The Supreme Court has been very clear that native-born U.S. citizens cannot have their citizenship stripped by the government under any circumstances,” Case Western Reserve University law professor Cassandra Burke Robertson told PBS.
Which means, unless major changes are made to US law, Trump’s comments are nothing more than empty threats.
O’Donnell, who is currently waiting out the Trump presidency in Ireland, has not taken to kindly to the jibes, calling him ‘[Game of Thrones character] King Joffrey with a tangerine spray tan’.
“I’m not yours to silence I never was,” she added.
A British woman has been jailed in Dubai for making a ‘very stupid mistake’ that has landed her a life sentence.
Mia O’Brien, from Huyton, Liverpool, is currently being held in the city’s central prison in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and her family issued a desperate plea to others for any help they can provide.
Her mother, Danielle McKenna, has said that she is ‘absolutely devastated’ by the news.
In a now-deleted GoFundMe, Danielle said: “I haven’t seen my daughter since last October. Mia is only 23 years old and has never done a bad thing in her life.
“This is a young girl, who went to university to do law, and unfortunately got mixed up in the wrong so-called friends and made a very stupid mistake and is now paying the price.”
The family had initially started a fundraiser for the jailed Brit, saying that the money would be sent to Mia in order to pay for legal fees and also be used to cover travel costs so they can visit her.
However, the page has since been deleted for unknown reasons.
Speaking to the Daily Mail recently, Danielle added that her student daughter was ‘going through it’ in the Dubai prison.
“She’s just been transferred to another prison after getting a life sentence. It’s been a massive shock,” she added.
In the UAE, a life sentence usually means 25 years of imprisonment for a non-Emirati citizen following by deportation. While the family hasn’t disclosed the crime Mia has committed, there are a number of offences for which life sentences are typically given.
Some of these are: drug trafficking and possession, human trafficking, murder or attempted murder, and terrorism-related activities.
Before the GoFundMe was closed, the mum said on the page: “I just want to thank everyone for their donations so far, this money will be used to send to my daughter Mia, and also for any legal fees that may arise, and maybe even to go towards getting family over to Dubai to see her, as none of us have seen Mia since last October, so thank you all so much.”
Brits are warned by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the dangers around drug-related offences in particular, stating that UAE authorities ‘count the presence of drugs in the blood stream as possession’.
It further details: “The penalties for trafficking, smuggling, using and possessing illegal drugs (including residual amounts) are severe. Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty.”
“I don’t think Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have enough hunger to become football managers.
I think they’ve had so much success as players both on and off the field. They became billionaires while still playing football professionally, so rest assured they won’t be happy with the contracts offered to be a coach. Both made history in football and in financial life.
The best thing for them is to follow in David Beckham’s footsteps and have their own football clubs because both can afford it.
They won’t even have problems finding supporters for their clubs because they are already the most popular and loved footballers in the world.”
Kim Jong Un has been ruling North Korea since December 2011, when he succeeded his father, Kim Jong Il, after his death.
Kim Jong Un’s ruling style is characterized by authoritarian control, a personality inherited from his father and grandfather.
During a recent session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, North Korea’s legislative body, leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a unanimous vote.
The video footage, which has circulated widely, shows Kim Jong Un leading the proceedings.
After Kim Jong Un raised his hand to vote, all members of the assembly also raised their hands in unison.
The uniformity of the members during the vote is characteristic of North Korea’s governance, where decisions are made to align with the leader’s directives rather than through democratic processes.
The Supreme People’s Assembly serves as the highest organ of state power in North Korea.
Legendary American boxers Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather have agreed to an exhibition fight in 2026.
Tyson, 59, took to his social media acccounts on Thursday night, September 4, to announce the event, sharing a poster featuring half of each boxer’s face and the words, “Legend vs. Legend.”
The boxing star simply captioned the post, “Coming Soon.”
Tyson was shocked Mayweather agreed to the fight, telling TMZ Sports, “This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen.”
“I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this,” he said, adding that it will be “detrimental to his health.”
But Mayweather, who’s almost a decade younger than Tyson, isn’t afraid.
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” he told TMZ Sports.
He continued: “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”
Since the fight is an exhibition, if Mayweather did lose to Tyson, it wouldn’t mess up his 50-0 record.
This is not the first time Tyson has come out of retirement for a star-studded fight. Last November, Tyson lost to Jake Paul, a 28-year-old boxer and influencer. Before then, he hadn’t been in a professional bout since 2005.
Mayweather’s last professional fight was in 2017 against Conor McGregor.
Superstar footballer, Lionel Messi, paid an emotional farewell to Argentina supporters in his final competitive home match last night.
The superstar bowed out with a brace in a 3-0 victory against Venezuela at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, before hinting he could retire ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Emotions were highly charged during his last official game in his homeland, which he had labelled ‘very, very special’ in the build-up.
Messi also couldn’t hold back the tears as the crowd chanted his name during the warm-ups, as his proud family watched on from the stands.
Now 38, Messi, widely viewed as one of the sport’s greatest-ever players, has hinted at retirement, saying he’s not sure if he’d play another World Cup.
‘Same as I said before about the World Cup that I don’t think I’ll play another,’ he told reporters. ‘Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it. But well, we’re almost there, so I’m excited and motivated to play it.
‘Like I always say, I go day by day, going by how I feel.
‘I’m trying to feel good and, above all, being honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don’t, honestly, I don’t have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don’t feel good. So we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup.
‘I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left.
‘So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully, I’ll have a good preseason in 2026 and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.’
Messi also reflected on his fairytale goodbye after a magical night, adding: ‘This year we had a lot of matches, a lot of sequences of games. Luckily, I was able to play three in a row; it’s day by day, feeling the sensations.
‘It’s clear that today was the last one with points at stake here, but day by day I try to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself. If I feel good, I enjoy it.
‘If I feel bad, I’d rather not be here. A lot of things happened, being able to finish this way here was what I always dreamed of.
‘Being able to celebrate with my people… for many years I received a lot of affection at Barcelona, and my dream was to also have it here, in my country, with my people. For many years, many things were said, but I’m left with all the good we did.’
Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, posted a glowing tribute on Instagram. She wrote: ‘Proud of you, every step you take and everything you built with love and effort.
‘How lucky are we to be with you on this path!!! We love you.’
Ahead of the match, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni was also moved to tears while discussing Messi’s final competitive outing for his country.
‘This is a match which Leo has said will be emotional, special, nice because it’s true that it’s our last qualifying match. We have to enjoy it, as we’ve always been saying,’ Scaloni said during his press conference. ‘More than anyone, I will enjoy it.
‘Having been able to coach him has honestly been a pleasure and let’s hope that fans who go to the stadium will also enjoy it because he truly deserves it.
‘Tomorrow will be a nice match. I’m sure that it won’t be his last game in Argentina and I say that we’ll make sure that if he decides it’s the last game, we play another because it’s obvious to do that in the right moment and because he deserves it.
‘He earned the right to decide when to stop. He will always have support.’
Argentina will next play Ecuador next week but Messi will not take part.
The U.S. Justice Department is allegedly considering proposals to prevent transgender people from buying guns in the US.
CNN, citing unnamed sources, described talks on the matter as “preliminary in nature” and said they stemmed from last week’s shooting at a Catholic church in Minnesota, which left two children dead and 17 others injured. The suspect in the shooting was transgender, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The New York Post, also citing unnamed sources, also reported that talks were underway.
“The DOJ is actively evaluating options to prevent the pattern of violence we have seen from individuals with specific mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders. No specific criminal justice proposals have been advanced at this time,” a Justice Department spokesperson said when asked about the media reports.
The talks within President Donald Trump’s administration would pit the Republican Party’s long-held support of gun rights against the administration’s moves to limit the rights of transgender Americans.
Trump previously signed executive orders banning transgender people from the military and mandating that identification documents issued by the government be based on “an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female.”
The Gun Owners of America rights group in a social media post responding to CNN’s report, said: “GOA opposes any & all gun bans. Full stop.”
Former Liverpool star, Luis Suarez has issued a written apology after appearing to spit at a Seattle Sounders staff member at the Leagues Cup final.
Inter Miami lost 3-0 in the final of the tournament, which sees the best teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX battle it out for glory, despite Suarez and Lionel Messi headlining a star-studded squad.
Footage showed Suarez confronting a Sounders staff member near the middle of the pitch as tensions flared between both sides after the final whistle.
The 38-year-old got in the coach’s face before appearing to spit at him as Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari tried to intervene.
His behaviour has been widely condemned since, and now the forward has finally admitted he made a mistake.
“First of all, I want to congratulate the Seattle Sounders for their Leagues Cup victory,” Suarez wrote on Instagram on Thursday.
“But more importantly, I want to apologise for my behaviour at the end of the game.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1962340385507987489
“It was a moment full of tension and frustration, when things took place at the end of the game that shouldn’t have occurred, but that doesn’t justify my reaction. I made a mistake and I’m sincerely sorry.
“That’s not the image that I want to portray in front of my family, who suffer for my errors, and (Inter Miami) doesn’t deserve to be affected by this either.
“I feel bad for what happened, and I did not want to miss this opportunity to recognise it and ask everyone for forgiveness who felt poorly about what I did.
“We know there is still a lot of season to play for, and we’re going to work together in order to accomplish the goals that this club and its fans deserve.
“A hug to all.”
The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker has a past been invloved with controversy on the pitch.
He was banned for eight matches and fined by the English FA in 2011 for making racist remarks toward Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.
Suarez later refused to shake Evra’s hand in a highly charged Premier League meeting.
During the 2014 World Cup, he was suspended for four months after biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini – the third biting incident of his career.
He had previously bitten Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic while playing for Liverpool and Otman Bakkal during his time at Ajax.
An Austrialian Bank worker has revealed she was sacked after 25 years, months after unknowingly training AI to do her job.
Bank teller Kathryn Sullivan, 63, said she was entirely unaware she was helping a chatbot take over her role before she was made redundant in July, ending her long career with the bank.
She said she supported new technologies that improved customer service, but was still sacked.
‘I was completely shell-shocked, alongside my colleague,’ she said. ‘We just feel like we were nothing, we were a number.’
Ms Sullivan said Commonwealth Bank failed to communicate with her for more than a week after she was made redundant.
‘They ghosted me for eight business days before they answered any of my questions,’ she added.
Her final duties included scripting and testing chatbot responses for CBA’s Bumblebee AI, and when the bot was trialled with real customers, she stepped in whenever it failed to answer.
‘We knew that messaging would eventually be sent offshore, but never in my wildest dream did I expect to be made redundant after 25 years with the company,’ she said.
‘While I embrace the use of AI and I can see a purpose for it in the workplace and outside, I believe there needs to be some sort of regulation to prevent copyright (infringements) … or replacing humans.’
CBA later admitted it had made a mistake, conceding that calls from customers spiked after the sackings, showing AI could not fully replace staff.
The bank was then forced to reverse its decision and offered staff their jobs back, but Sullivan chose redundancy, saying the role she was offered was different to her original one and offered no real security.
A Commonwealth Bank spokesman acknowledged the bank had mishandled the process.
He said the bank’s initial assessment that 45 roles were not required ‘did not adequately consider all relevant business considerations and because of this error, the roles were not redundant.’
He added: ‘We have apologised to the employees concerned and acknowledge we should have been more thorough in our assessment of the roles required.
‘We are currently supporting affected employees and have provided them with choice regarding continuing in their current roles, pursuing redeployment within CBA or to proceed with leaving the organisation.
‘We are also reviewing our internal processes to improve our approach going forward.’
GOVERNMENT AND LATE PRESIDENT LUNGU’S FAMILY BEGIN FORMAL DISCUSSIONS TO RESOLVE IMPASSE
The government of the Republic of Zambia and the family of the late sixth president, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, have announced the commencement of formal discussions, marking a significant step toward resolving a three-month impasse.
According to a joint statement signed by Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa and family spokesperson Makebi Zulu, a mediated process will be employed to address outstanding issues, with mediators jointly appointed by both parties.
The statement emphasized the importance of building trust as a crucial step toward reaching a mutually agreeable solution that fosters genuine reconciliation and healing.
Both the government and the family have pledged to approach the discussions with sincerity, prioritizing reconciliation, national unity, and deep respect for the late president’s distinguished service and the wishes of his family.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people of Zambia for their patience and understanding,” the statement read.
Citizens have been urged to refrain from making statements that could heighten tensions as the parties work toward a respectful and dignified outcome.
The government and family have assured the nation that updates on the discussions and next steps will be shared in due course and encouraged continued prayers for the former first family and the Republic of Zambia.
The announcement comes after months of uncertainty, signaling a potential turning point in efforts to honor Dr. Lungu’s legacy while addressing lingering matters with care and respect.
HOW MALANJI STOLE MONEY FROM THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE AND GOT CONVICTED – JUDGMENT SUMMARY
=============== I got the following article from NPA Facebook page but I will discuss it later at 20:00hrs.
Below is a breakdown of the charges that defined this decisive case.
The Yamba Convictions – A Breach of Financial Trust
The prosecution team secured decisive convictions on two counts against former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Kango Yamba, painting a clear picture of abuse of power. In Counts 1 and 2, Yamba stood accused of abusing his office by authorising the unlawful transfer of public funds.
Yamba was tried for Illegally and irregularly authorising the transfer of K108,401,197 and K45,800,000 to the Zambian Mission in Turkey without following procedure and in violation of Public Finance Management Act.
The Court found Yamba guilty on both counts, noting that the Controlling Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not request the variation of funds intended for overseas emoluments to be used for the procurement of properties for the Zambian Mission in Turkey.
The Court also highlighted the irregularity in the allocation and authorisation of funds outside the appropriation by the National Assembly, and in the absence of a budget line for the procurement of properties for the Zambian Mission in Turkey in the 2020 and 2021 national budgets.
The Court found that Yamba deliberately bypassed the legal financial controls and accountability mechanisms, thereby facilitating the misappropriation of public funds.
The Malanji Convictions – From Public Funds to Private Assets
Counts 3 and 4 saw Mr. Joseph Malanji tried for possession of a Bell 430 and a Bell 206 Jet Ranger Helicopter, respectively.
The Court found convictions justified based on a series of suspicious financial activities. The evidence revealed that from the US$ 7,132,000.00 allocated for the purchase of properties for the Zambian Mission in Ankara, Turkey, only one property was acquired at a cost of US$1,127,308.00, yet US$4.6 million was withdrawn.
The evidence further revealed that the money was ferried to Zambia using the Presidential Jet which Mr. Malanji used for the trip.
The Court rejected Mr. Malanji’s claim that the funds used to purchase the helicopters were derived from his businesses, observing that Gibson Power Systems’ dollar account had a zero balance, while the Kwacha account held only K365 at the at the start of the deposits in issue.
However, immediately following Mr. Malanji’s return from Turkey and Morocco, the account received substantial cash deposits daily for several weeks, facilitating the purchase of both helicopters.
It was confirmed that Mr. Malanji was the sole signatory of the accounts from which these suspicious transactions originated and that he was the beneficial owner of the entities holding the helicopters, thereby nullifying his claim that he did not possess the helicopters.
The Court returned a verdict of Guilty on both Counts 3 and 4, concerning the possession of the two helicopters, reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
The timing of the transactions, the unexplained deposits, and the secrecy surrounding ownership all gave rise to a strong presumption of illicit activity.
In Count 5, the Court considered the Gibson Royal Hotel and whether there was evidence to warrant the suspicion that Hotel was a proceed of crime.
The Court acquitted Malanji on this Count, holding that the hotel predated the illicit financial activities in question.
The facts adduced in support of this count, however, revealed that Mr. Malanji, acting for and on behalf of Gibson Power Systems, a company in which he holds directorial control and a significant interest, secured a loan with the First National Bank (FNB).
The loan was backed by a mortgage on Stand 1326, Kitwe, where the Gibson Royal Hotel is situated. The evidence showed that in July 2020, shortly after Mr. Malanji returned from a trip to Morocco, a substantial deposit of K10 million was made into an FNB account, which cleared the outstanding loan.
This occurred just as the bank had begun legal proceedings to recover the unpaid loan, which had been overdue since 2015. It is significant to note that the timing of this repayment, coinciding with his overseas trip and the sudden influx of funds, raised serious concerns.
The timing of the loan settlement and the unexplained source of the funds remain critical issues, and the State intends to appeal the acquittal on this count, as the evidence points to a level of suspicion warranting further review by a higher Court.
In Counts 6 and 7 Malanji was alleged to have possessed US$110,000 & US$105,000 suspected to be proceeds of crime respectively.
Sums of US$110,000 and US$105,000 were transferred into Gibson Air Charters’ account from Burhan Asaf Safak’s account. It is crucial to highlight that Burhan Asaf Safak is the lawyer allegedly engaged by the “owners of the 12 properties” to represent them in the conveyance.
The funds sent to Gibson Air Charters form part of the monies remitted by the Zambian Embassy in Turkey to Burhan’s account for the purchase of the 12 properties.
Mr. Malanji claimed these funds were payments for helicopter hire, but no contracts, invoices, or supporting documentation were provided.
Evidence however showed that his declared monthly income from the helicopter hires was roughly US$10,000, making these transfers especially suspicious in volume and lack of transparency.
The Court found that absence of evidence supporting these transfers, combined with the implausibly large sums relative to income, led the Court to view them as proceeds of crime resulting in convictions on both counts 6 and 7.
Counts 8, 9 and 10 relate to Mr. Joseph Malanji’s possession of three Silverest Gardens Properties in Lusaka with house numbers 033, 269 & 270.
The Court stated that Mr. Joseph Malanji made payments to clear off the outstanding balances on the three properties through Gibson Power Systems’ account immediately following his return from Turkey.
His claim was that these properties were paid off over time using his allowances, gratuities, rental income, and proceeds from a transportation business.
However, no lease agreements, bank statements, or documented savings substantiated these claims in Court leading to the Court’s finding that even if earlier payments for these properties may have been legitimate, the commingling of suspicious cash with lawful income sufficed to taint the assets leading to convictions on all three counts.
With the convicts’ guilt now established on the majority of counts, focus now shifts to the next phases of justice: the initiation of formal post-conviction forfeiture proceedings to permanently reclaim all assets taken from the people of Zambia.
This victory signals a new era where complex financial crimes are met with even more sophisticated and determined investigative and prosecutorial power.
WE WILL TALK AT 20:00HRS
TAYALI THE PUBLIC LAWYER OF THE PUBLIC COURT OF OPINIONS!!!
NPA moves to seize Malanji’s tainted property after grand theft conviction
THE National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has made a checkmate move to seize luxury properties and helicopters belonging to former Foreign Affairs Minister and once PF’s free-spending Bonanza, Joe Malanji, following his four years conviction for owning properties dubiously.
According to a sworn affidavit by Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) top investigator Mukelabai Kwaleyela, the assets including a Bell 430, a Bell 206 Jet Ranger and three mansions in Lusaka’s Silverest Gardens, are tainted property and liable for forfeiture to the State.
“I have been further advised by Counsel for the Applicant and verily believe the same to be true that this is a proper case in which this Honourable Court can order that the cited properties be forfeited to the State as the properties are proceeds of crime and tainted property,” Kwaleyela stated.
The seizure follows Malanji’s four-year prison sentence handed down by the Economic and Financial Crimes Court.
EFCC also convicted co-accused, former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba, who received three years for irregularly transferring K108 million for the Zambian chancery in Turkey.
Both men now face the grim reality of serving time in bright orange prison uniforms, leaving behind their lavish lifestyles.
Court documents revealed that Malanji, secretly pocketed public funds amounting to US$11 million into personal accounts.
At one point, he returned from Istanbul aboard a presidential jet carrying US$4.6 million in two bags, which investigators later traced to his living room.
The helicopters were initially hidden in South Africa and Zimbabwe before being recovered under court orders.
Magistrate Irene Wishimanga noted that Malanji could not provide any legitimate proof of income for the properties and relied on forged documents and false claims of a Congo-based business.
Evidence showed his company, Gibson Power Systems, was financially insolvent, contradicting his claims that it funded his acquisitions.
Yamba, on the other hand, was found guilty of authorising K154,201,197 for the purchase of a chancery in Turkey without obtaining approvals from Parliament, the Attorney General, or the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA).
Meanwhile, DEC Director General Nason Banda revealed that the Commission is conducting further investigations with high chances of capturing many other high – profile personalities involved in related financial crimes and details will be availed upon conclusion.
“These convictions signal a new era where complex transnational organised crimes actuated by public officers will be met with even more sophisticated and determined investigative and prosecutorial interventions,” Banda said today.
“The public may wish to note that by the end of the investigative processes, more money linked to the matter remains unaccounted for.”
GOVERNANCE ACTIVIST CONDEMNS SPEAKER’S ROLE IN BILL 7 DEBATE
Governance activist Laura Miti has raised concerns over the involvement of the Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti in the promotion of Bill 7.
Ms. Miti said she could not recall a time when a Speaker had publicly taken a position on legislation, noting that such actions fell outside the expected role of presiding officers.
She argued that the office of the Speaker was meant to uphold neutrality and preserve the “little decorum of offices” as well as the separation of powers.
She questioned how the Speaker would preside fairly and objectively over proceedings if she openly pushed for a controversial piece of legislation.
Ms. Miti further wondered why the Speaker had been discussing Bill 7 with traditional leaders.
According to her, no clear explanation had been provided as to why chiefs supported the bill, or whether their views extended to other legislation such as the Public Gathering Act or the Political Party Act.
The activist pointed out that the Political Party Act, in particular, could advance democracy by ensuring greater female representation in elections–an objective that Bill 7 was said to be pursuing.
She said it was unclear whether the Speaker had raised such alternatives with the chiefs during their discussions.
Calling for restraint, Ms. Miti appealed to the Speaker to maintain impartiality and avoid direct involvement in legislative advocacy.
ECONOMIC Front leader Wynter Kabimba has warned the public to be cautious of opposition leaders who focus solely on criticising President Hakainde Hichilema rather than presenting ideologies that can benefit the nation.
“Let’s deal with development issues. Each one of us must go to the Zambian people and say ‘this is what I can do’,” he said.
“Let the Zambian people listen to us, one by one or in a group form. But to reduce politics to personality is not going to help. Again, I have seen it in the past, we have removed people from power in this country. Rupiah Banda was removed from power. Did it change the fortunes of this country? I doubt it.”
Mr Kabimba said the idea by the opposition should not be to remove one man [President Hichilema] but generate ideas that are going to serve the Zambian people.
THE SPEAKER, CHIEFS AND THE CONSTITUTION: WHO SHOULD SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE?
By Dr Mwewa
In Muchinga Province, the Speaker of the National Assembly assured chiefs that “Parliament is ready to resume the constitutional review process and is only waiting for the Executive to indicate.” At first hearing, this might sound like responsiveness. Yet beneath the surface lies a troubling breach of constitutional principle, one that risks eroding the very independence of the office she holds.
The Speaker is not a political actor; she is the custodian of impartiality. Her role is to preside, to regulate debate under the Standing Orders, to ensure fairness. Nowhere in Article 79 of the Constitution of Zambia is she empowered to commit Parliament to constitutional amendment.
Constitutional review is a sovereign act of the people, exercised through their elected representatives—not a joint venture between the Executive and the Chair of the House. By suggesting that the National Assembly is waiting on the Executive, she subordinates Parliament to State House. This undermines the doctrine of separation of powers and strips Parliament of its exclusive cognizance over its own processes.
Zambia has a rich tradition of constitutional reform. From the Mvunga Commission to the Mung’omba Commission, constitutional reviews were never carried in the Speaker’s handbag, but by broad-based committees established through Acts of Parliament. These commissions gathered views from citizens in villages, townships, and markets. They did not rest on the endorsements of a few. To now replace such deeply consultative structures with pronouncements from the Speaker, or with endorsements from chiefs, is not reform—it is regression.
Let us be clear: chiefs are respected custodians of our culture, but they cannot substitute for the people on constitutional matters. Many operate under economic vulnerability and political patronage, and to present their declarations as the voice of the people is to mistake silence for consent. As I have written before: “Inkoko tetiyende panshi nga takwaba utwana”—the chicken cannot walk proudly if the chicks are missing. A chief cannot speak loudly if the people’s voice is absent.
The Constitutional Court has already spoken: Bill No. 7 was unconstitutional. That verdict stands as a warning. Why then does the Speaker insist outside her mandate, risking a replay of illegality? To ignore the Court’s wisdom is to invite a constitutional crisis. To proceed without the people is to build a house on sand.
The Constitution is not a royal decree to be endorsed in palaces, nor a partisan project to be marketed by presiding officers. It is a living social contract, a covenant between the governed and those who govern. Public interest must rise from the ground up, not descend from thrones or be proclaimed from the chair of neutrality.
What is at stake is more than process—it is trust. If chiefs become shields for unpopular amendments, they will lose their sacred authority. If the Speaker becomes a participant in political contest, she will forfeit her neutrality. And if the Constitution is reshaped without the full voice of the people, it will lose its legitimacy.
As African wisdom teaches: “Imiti ikula empanga”—the young trees are the future forest. If we plant confusion in the soil of constitutionalism today, we will reap distrust tomorrow.
The path forward is clear. If Zambia is to amend her Constitution, let it be through an Act of Parliament establishing an independent, broad-based commission. Let the chiefs advise, let the Speaker preside, but let the people decide. For in a democracy, it is not the throne but the crowd, not the crown but the citizen, that gives law its soul.
Vox populi, vox Dei—the voice of the people is the voice of God. And God does not whisper only in royal chambers or parliamentary offices. He speaks in the market, in the farm, in the township, in the youth unemployed, in the mother waiting at a clinic. It is their voices, not the Speaker’s assurances, that must shape the supreme law of the land.
ENERGY MINISTER CHIKOTE PROMISES PLAN TO ADDRESS ZESCO COMPLAINTS BY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2025
By: Cletus Mutoki
Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo has raised concern over ZESCO Limited’s failure to adhere to its published load management schedule, warning that the utility’s inconsistency is casting government in a negative light.
Speaking during a visit by Energy Minister Makozo Chikote en route to Tazama Energies in Ndola, Mr. Matambo said that while the public understands the broader causes of load shedding, ZESCO’s deviation from the timetable is severely disrupting business operations and daily routines.
He revealed that the majority of complaints received by his office relate to ZESCO’s failure to stick to the schedule, adding that the unpredictability of power outages is affecting livelihoods and productivity across the Copperbelt.
Mr. Matambo urged Minister Chikote to engage ZESCO and ensure the utility provides a reliable and consistent timetable to help citizens plan their activities more effectively.
He also noted that Zambia has relied almost exclusively on hydroelectric power for over six decades, underscoring the need for improved energy management.
In response, Energy Minister Makozo Chikote acknowledged the concerns and assured that the matter would receive the necessary attention. He confirmed that the complaints were not new and that a plan is already in place to address the issue, with formal announcements expected by 21st September 2025.
LACK OF BLUE PRINT FOR OPPOSITION UNITY HAS UNLEASHED OPPORTUNISTS – DR M’MEMBE
SOCIALIST Party leader Dr Fred M’membe says the lack of a blueprint for how the opposition will unite and field a single candidate in 2026 has unleashed opportunists seeking to be adopted.
In a statement, Thursday, Dr M’membe said most of those seeking adoption were behaving like gamblers in a casino. “Abracadabra! Public calls for the opposition to unite and field one presidential candidate in the August 13, 2026 elections are loud and clear. But these calls are not accompanied by a blueprint of how this unity should be forged and how this single opposition candidate should be selected.
It is left to the opposition to come up with a mechanism for achieving this. It would seem that this lack…
CORRUPTION CRACKDOWN: MALANJI, YAMBA CONVICTIONS SIGNAL NEW ERA IN CORRUPTION FIGHT- DEC
September 5, 2025
LUSAKA – The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) says the recent convictions of former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji and former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba mark a turning point in Zambia’s fight against corruption and abuse of public resources
The Commission has also confirmed that further investigations are underway to trace unaccounted funds, with forfeiture proceedings for seized properties scheduled to be heard in court on September 15.
Addressing a press briefing in Lusaka today, DEC Director-General Nason Banda said the outcome demonstrates Zambia’s resolve to uphold justice and accountability.
“These convictions signal a new era where complex financial crimes by public officers will be met with determined investigations and prosecutions. Our joy is not that someone has been convicted, but that justice has been done,” Mr. Banda said.
Malanji was sentenced to four years imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty on counts involving over $11 million, illicit real estate purchases, and two helicopters. Yamba received three years imprisonment with hard labour for deliberately bypassing financial controls and facilitating the misappropriation of public funds.
The DEC chief disclosed that the high-profile case required extensive international cooperation, with critical support coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Turkey. Several foreign witnesses even testified in Zambian courts.
Mr. Banda commended this collaboration, noting that it reflects Zambia’s determination to pursue justice beyond borders.
He also took the opportunity to urge public officials to respect the trust of citizens. “Please do not betray the trust of the people. Go into office to serve, not to enrich yourselves,” he advised
For many Zambians, the convictions serve as a warning that leaders who misuse their positions will face the law. Mr. Banda stressed that the DEC will continue to pursue all cases impartially, guided strictly by evidence and not political inclination.
