VICTOR NYASULU DEFECTS TO CITIZENS FIRST, EYES LUSAKA MAYORAL SEAT
Former Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency Director General and 2021 United Party for National Development Lusaka mayoral candidate Victor Nyasulu has defected from the Patriotic Front to join the Citizens First Party, where he has announced his intention to once again contest the Lusaka mayoral seat in the forthcoming elections.
Speaking during a press briefing announcing his decision, Mr Nyasulu said his narrow defeat in the 2021 mayoral race has strengthened his resolve to continue pursuing the position. He expressed confidence that his vision of transforming Lusaka into a well-planned and efficiently managed city remains achievable.
Meanwhile, Citizens First Deputy Secretary General Mwansa Kasese announced the opening of the application window for members wishing to contest various positions under the party’s ticket. She added that the party has reserved 30 percent of its candidature for women to promote their participation in politics and national affairs.
Citizens First Media Director Innocent Lupiya said the call for applications is intended to provide a platform for aspiring leaders and demonstrates the party’s preparedness for the forthcoming general elections.
WHEN A PHONE CAMERA BECOMES A WEAPON: THE ZICTA ID CONTROVERSY
A new employee at the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has found themselves at the centre of a social media storm after someone photographed their staff identification card and circulated it on opposition Facebook pages.
The reason for the outrage is not misconduct, corruption, or a breach of procedure.
It is a surname.
The employee happens to share a surname with President Hakainde Hichilema, and that alone has been treated as proof of nepotism in some online circles.
But before Zambia’s growing army of smartphone detectives congratulates itself on exposing the “scandal of the century,” a more basic question deserves attention.
Who captured the ID, and why?
Because photographing someone’s workplace identification and publishing it online is not harmless activism. It raises clear concerns around privacy, workplace conduct, and institutional security.
A staff ID is not a public document. It contains personal and institutional information such as the employee’s name, photograph, and affiliation with the organisation. These cards exist for internal identification and access control, not for viral circulation on partisan social media pages.
Taking a photograph of such identification without consent and distributing it online may violate workplace policies and, depending on circumstances, could also raise privacy and harassment concerns.
In simple terms, an employee ID is not a political poster.
For ZICTA, the issue now goes beyond social media noise. The institution may need to determine how the image was obtained. If the photograph was taken within its premises or by someone with access to staff areas, that could indicate a breach of internal security procedures.
The authority may also consider reminding staff and visitors that photographing internal identification documents is prohibited.
There is also the matter of protecting the employee involved. Sharing a surname with a public figure is not evidence of wrongdoing. Zambia is full of people with similar names. If surnames alone are now grounds for public suspicion, half the country may soon be required to issue press statements explaining their family trees..
The irony is hard to miss.
ZICTA regulates the digital communications sector and regularly advocates responsible technology use. Yet the controversy itself began with the most basic misuse of digital tools: a phone camera and a Facebook upload button.
GOVERNMENT WARNS FUEL STATIONS AGAINST HOARDING AS GLOBAL OIL PRICES SURGE
Zambia’s fuel sector could face increased pressure following a sharp rise in global oil prices.
Energy expert Johnston Chikwanda says prices on the international market have surged by more than 50 percent in the past ten days, warning that if the trend continues, fuel prices could double within the next two weeks.
Speaking in an interview with KBN TV News, Dr. Chikwanda says the sudden spike, largely attributed to the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, has created uncertainty among players in the fuel supply chain, with many waiting for new pricing adjustments before making major supply commitments.
He notes that the situation also increases the temptation for some businesses to hoard fuel, as companies try to avoid potential losses caused by selling at lower prices. However, Dr. Chikwanda has discouraged such practices, warning that hoarding could worsen supply challenges and disrupt the market.
He adds that without stronger regulatory frameworks, it may be difficult to effectively curb such practices in the sector.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Makozo Chikote has warned filling station owners against hoarding fuel in anticipation of price increases linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Mr. Chikote directed the Ministry of Energy, the Energy Regulation Board and TAZAMA Pipeline to closely monitor fuel supply activities to ensure that service stations do not withhold products from the market.
He warned that any operators found engaging in hoarding will face appropriate disciplinary action.
Socialist Party president Fred M’membe is in Cuba.
Dr. M’membe who was last week released from detention after two days after being slapped with a cyber crime charge maintains a good relationship with Socialist governored countries such as Cube, Venezuela and Russia.
He has received alot of support from the Venezuela government including training of members of the Socialist Party in various fields.
However recently there was a regime change in Venezuela after the president of that country was arrested and taken to the United States where he is undergoing trial.
The Donald Trump administration has taken over Venezuela and says after Iran his next target is Cuba where he wants a regime change.
“In a conversation with Professor Vijay Prashad, Executive Director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, the chief correspondent for Globetrotter and the chief editor of LeftWord Books. Prof. Prashad has embarked on a book project to chronic my life and ideologies, spanning from my rural Zambian roots to my presidential bid in Lusaka. We are currently in Havana, Cuba,” Dr. M’membe stated in a Facebook post
Dr. M’membe who is the presidential candidate for People’s Pact is mobilizing for 2026 elections where he has declared that incumbent president Hakainde Hichilema is going.
Meanwhile Police on the Copperbelt province have denied a permit to Socialist Party to hold a public rally in Chiwempala.
Dr. M’membe says it’s unfortunate that his party has never been allowed to hold single rally since the UPND came into government.
FROM THE UNITED NATIONS TO ZAMBIA’S POLITICAL FRONTLINE: DR. MWABA KASASE-BOTHA SPEAKS
By Brian Matambo | 10 March 2026
On Monday night, Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba hosted Dr Mwaba Kasase-Botha on the popular EMV podcast. The broadcast came just hours after Zambia marked International Women’s Day, a day that should have been straightforward but somehow managed to spark debate after national celebrations were scheduled on a Sunday.
In a country that openly declares itself a Christian nation, the decision forced many citizens to choose between church and commemoration. That may sound like a small procedural matter. But in Zambia, small procedural matters often carry deeper political meaning.
Yet once the conversation began, the discussion quickly moved beyond calendars and ceremonies. What unfolded instead was the story of a woman whose life has travelled across three distinct worlds: medicine, diplomacy, and now politics. And through that journey, a wider reflection on Zambia itself quietly emerged.
Dr Kasase-Botha’s story begins on the Copperbelt, in Chamboli township in Kitwe. Her father worked in the mines. Her upbringing, as she described it, straddled two realities after her parents separated. One side offered relative stability. The other exposed her directly to the hardships that many Zambian families know too well.
Those early years matter because they explain something about the tone she carries today. When people see a former ambassador to the United Nations speaking about policy, it is easy to imagine a life that began in comfort. But as she reminded listeners during the broadcast, her path began in the same modest environment that shapes millions of Zambian lives.
From Chamboli, she moved through Zambia’s education system, eventually enrolling at the University of Zambia, where she studied science before entering medical school. After practising medicine, she travelled to the United States and enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she specialised in epidemiology and HIV and AIDS research.
These were not ordinary years in public health. Zambia, like much of Southern Africa, was still in the grip of the HIV epidemic.
At the National AIDS Council, she worked on programmes designed to prevent HIV transmission among sexually abused children through post-exposure prophylaxis. That work would later contribute to the creation of the first multidisciplinary “one-stop centre” at the University Teaching Hospital, where victims of abuse could access medical care, counselling, and legal assistance under one roof.
From there she moved into international development work, serving with UNICEF and later with the United States Agency for International Development in Lusaka, focusing on programmes for orphans, vulnerable children, and families affected by HIV.
Her career would then take another turn. Dr Kasase-Botha was appointed by President Michael Sata as Zambia’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. For five years she represented the country at the global diplomatic stage.
During that time she served as Vice President of the UN General Assembly, sat on the board of UNICEF, and chaired the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, advocating for fairer global trade structures for countries like Zambia whose geography limits access to maritime commerce.
But one of the most consequential debates she participated in concerned education.
At the United Nations, the world was transitioning from the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals, the global framework guiding development policy through 2030.
One weakness of the earlier Millennium Development Goals, she explained, was that they focused heavily on getting children into school while paying far less attention to whether those children were actually learning
There is, she noted, a crucial difference between being in school and being educated.
The Sustainable Development Goals attempted to correct that weakness by emphasising quality learning standards.
Now let us bring that conversation back home.
Today Dr Kasase-Botha sits inside Zambia’s political arena as Deputy Secretary General of the Citizens First party, led by former Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba. And from that vantage point she has become sharply critical of Zambia’s current education system.
Her argument is not that free education is wrong. In fact, she acknowledges that access to education is essential. The problem, she says, lies in how the policy has been implemented.
In many schools classrooms now carry as many as 150 pupils. Teachers cannot realistically supervise such numbers. Some children sit on the floor because desks cannot fit into the overcrowded rooms. Homework is rarely assigned because teachers cannot mark hundreds of books.
Under those conditions, she warns, Zambia risks producing a generation that attends school but does not receive meaningful education. Parents may celebrate relief from school fees today. But if the learning environment collapses, the deeper consequence will be something else entirely. A postponement of poverty rather than its elimination.
The conversation then moved to the wider economy as Dr Kasase-Botha pointed to what many Zambians experience every day. The basic monthly food basket now approaches twelve thousand kwacha. Yet the average civil servant earns around five thousand kwacha.
The numbers simply do not reconcile. Inflation statistics may suggest stability, she noted, yet food prices continue to rise in markets across the country. For most families, the economy is not measured in economic reports. It is measured in whether there is food on the table.
Despite a distinguished diplomatic career, Dr Kasase-Botha made the deliberate decision to enter partisan politics. She joined Citizens First, aligning herself with Harry Kalaba, whom she first encountered during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs. What impressed her, she said, was his view that national resources do not belong to those who occupy public office. They are entrusted to leaders on behalf of the people.
For her, that philosophy represented the kind of political culture Zambia requires. But politics in Zambia is rarely straightforward.
As the 2026 general elections approach, the opposition faces a difficult terrain. Opposition parties remain fragmented even while acknowledging that unity may be their only realistic path to electoral success.
Administrative hurdles have also played a role. Citizens First itself spent more than nine months navigating regulatory processes before receiving its clearance certificate from the Registrar of Societies following its party convention.
At the same time, opposition leaders have raised concerns about the electoral environment. Voter registration increases appear significantly higher in provinces considered strongholds of the ruling party, raising questions that the Electoral Commission will eventually have to address. Whether those concerns prove justified or not, one fact is clear. Zambia’s political climate is entering an intense period.
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the interview came when Dr Kasase-Botha spoke about the unresolved burial of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Nearly nine months after his death, the matter remains unsettled. For her, the issue is no longer about legal positions or political arguments. It is about something more fundamental.
In Zambia, death has traditionally been a moment when communities unite in mourning. Political differences are set aside. Families are given space to grieve. That tradition, she suggested, is now under strain. You may disagree with that interpretation entirely. You may believe the dispute is simply a matter of law and procedure. But the larger question remains unavoidable. What does it say about a nation when the passing of a former head of state becomes a prolonged national stalemate?
Before the interview concluded, Dr Kasase-Botha offered a message to young women across the country. Her own journey, she reminded listeners, did not begin in privilege. It began in Chamboli. Education, perseverance, and focus carried her forward. Those same tools remain available to the next generation.
And as Zambia moves steadily toward the elections of August 2026, voices like hers suggest that the country’s political conversation is entering a new phase. Whether that phase produces renewal or deeper division will not be decided in interviews or podcasts. It will be decided by the choices Zambians make when they eventually step into the voting booth.
🇿🇲 COMMUNITY | UCZ Suspends Two Reverends After Controversial Funeral Rites in Chingola
A funeral in Chingola on the Copperbelt has sparked debate within church circles and the wider public after the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) suspended two reverends who presided over the burial of a man reported to have died by suicide.
The suspensions were issued on Sunday, March 8, by the UCZ Copperbelt Presbytery Bishop, following concerns that the funeral proceedings may not have fully complied with the Church’s constitutional guidelines governing burial rites in such circumstances.
The case involves a 44-year-old man who died on February 28, 2026, after reportedly shooting himself at his residence in Chingola. Police on the Copperbelt confirmed the incident, which quickly became a subject of discussion within the local congregation and on social media.
Under the United Church of Zambia Rules and Regulations (Revised 2024), the Church outlines specific procedures for funeral services. Section SRR 19, which governs funerals, states that full funeral services and committal rites are reserved for baptized members in good standing, catechumens with good attendance, Sunday school children, Brigade members, and baptized or dedicated children. These services are normally conducted in the church sanctuary before burial at the graveside.
The same provision, however, sets different guidance for cases involving suicide, suspended members, or individuals considered to have withdrawn from church fellowship. In such situations, the policy allows only a brief worship service at the graveside, without a formal committal ceremony.
In the Chingola case, the local congregation followed this guideline by conducting limited graveside rites at the cemetery, declining to hold a full funeral service inside the church building.
That decision triggered strong emotions from members of the bereaved family during the burial. Some relatives expressed disappointment, arguing that funerals serve primarily to comfort the living and allow communities to mourn together during moments of grief.
The situation has since stirred broader public discussion. Some observers have defended the Church’s strict adherence to its constitution, arguing that doctrinal discipline helps preserve the integrity of church teaching, particularly on matters concerning the sanctity of life.
Others have questioned whether rigid application of such rules risks overlooking the pastoral responsibility to comfort grieving families during times of tragedy.
Church authorities have emphasised that the policy does not attempt to judge the spiritual fate of the deceased. Instead, they describe it as a matter of church discipline and constitutional guidance, noting that pastoral prayers and support are still offered during graveside services.
The suspension of the two reverends indicates the seriousness with which the UCZ leadership views compliance with its governance framework. Within the church’s structure, clergy are expected to follow constitutional provisions, and departures from these guidelines may result in disciplinary measures.
Beyond the internal church processes, the incident has also reopened conversations around mental health and suicide prevention in Zambia, as communities continue to grapple with how faith traditions, pastoral care and social realities intersect during moments of loss.
For now, the Chingola community continues to mourn, while debate over the Church’s funeral policies and their interpretation remains ongoing.
The People’s Brief is a reader-built publication. Follow us for verified reporting, share our stories, and contribute your community stories, analysis or commentary by writing to us at editor.peoplesbrief@gmail.com.
Dear President of the Government of Equatorial Guinea,
I respectfully and humbly plead with the government to show mercy in my situation.
I have been detained here for over 365 days, and during this entire time, no woman—including my wife—has been permitted to visit me.
I wish to clarify that I have never forced myself on any woman; all interactions occurred through mutual recommendations and consent.
I kindly and earnestly request that the government kindly allow my wife to visit me and spend some time together so that we may speak and connect as husband and wife.
Please understand that I am a man with human emotions and needs. Every human being requires emotional support, especially in difficult circumstances like these.
I remain grateful for any consideration and compassion you may extend.
Thank you.
– Leaked notes from Legendary Baltazzar to the President
ABOUT STABBING A WIFE TO DEATH BELIEVING SHE IS AN ANIMAL
Mr. Sankalimba and his wife, Theresa Sankalimba, had been married for fourteen years and together had five children. Mr. Sankalimba was a businessman whose enterprise was doing very well, and the couple generally enjoyed a happy marriage.
One morning, Mr. Sankalimba’s nephew, Wellington Mukuka, and his brother in law, Joseph Mumba, were off loading goods from his truck when Mr. Sankalimba asked his wife, Theresa, to look for a cheque in their bedroom, which he wished to deposit at the bank that morning. After a short while, thinking that Theresa might have forgotten where she had placed the cheque, Mr. Sankalimba went into the bedroom “to try and help” her trace it.
Upon entering the bedroom, Mr. Sankalimba took out a pocket knife and stabbed his wife three times in the chest, causing serious injuries. He immediately reported himself to the police and surrendered. Theresa died a day later, and Mr. Sankalimba was arrested and charged with one count of murder.
In his defence, Mr. Sankalimba stated:
“When I entered I did not see clearly because the bedroom was dark. I tried to open the wardrobe door. It seemed as if I had provoked something which looked like a fox or dog. I started struggling with it. There is very little room in my bedroom… The bedroom is congested; I had little space to manoeuvre. I took out a pocket knife and stabbed the thing I thought was an animal. I stabbed it more than once. I then heard my wife saying: ‘Oh Sankalimba, help me, I am being attacked.’”
He explained that it was at that moment he realised that the “animal” he thought he was stabbing was in fact his wife. He maintained that he believed he was being attacked by a fox or dog due to hallucinations. He therefore claimed that he did not know or appreciate, immediately before and during the act of stabbing, that the victim was a human being, and indeed, his wife.
The High Court rejected Mr. Sankalimba’s claim that he believed his wife to be an attacking animal. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.
Disenchanted with the judgment, Mr. Sankalimba appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court allowed the appeal and set aside the conviction for murder, holding that Mr. Sankalimba was not criminally responsible for his actions because, at the time of the incident, his mental illness rendered him incapable of understanding what he was doing, bringing him within section 12 of the Penal Code.
The Court held that Mr. Sankalimba was not guilty by reason of insanity and ordered that he be detained during the President’s pleasure, meaning he would be held in a secure facility (such as Chainama Hospital) for an unspecified period, to be released only when authorised by the President.
The implication of this case is that where, due to mental illness, an accused person is incapable of understanding the nature of their act at the time of the offence, they are not criminally responsible, and the proper verdict is a special finding of not guilty by reason of insanity, followed by detention during the President’s pleasure.
In this case, the Supreme Court accepted evidence of hallucinations and mental disorder, found that Mr. Sankalimba believed he was stabbing an animal rather than his wife, and concluded that he was incapable of understanding his actions at the material time.
Case Citation: Sankalimba v People (S.C.Z. Judgment 33 of 1980) [1980] ZMSC 31 (3 December 1980)
DRONE WAR COSTS SOAR: US Loses Two More Reapers in Iran Clash
The United States has reportedly lost two more MQ-9 Reaper drones during ongoing military operations linked to the conflict with Iran, pushing the total number of destroyed or missing aircraft to 11.
The advanced surveillance and strike drones manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems are among the most sophisticated unmanned weapons in the US arsenal. Each aircraft is estimated to cost around $30 million, meaning the growing losses have now climbed to roughly $330 million.
The MQ-9 Reaper, often dubbed a “hunter-killer drone,” is widely used for intelligence gathering, surveillance and precision missile strikes. But the latest setbacks highlight the risks of deploying the slow-moving drones in heavily defended airspace.
As tensions escalate in the region, the mounting drone losses are raising fresh questions about the vulnerability and staggering cost of modern aerial warfare.
IRAN’S ‘MISSILE CITIES’ READY: Tehran Could Sustain War for Six Months, Analyst Warns
Geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar says Iran may have the capacity to sustain a prolonged military confrontation for up to six months, thanks to vast stockpiles of drones and missile systems that remain largely untouched.
According to Escobar, Iranian military planners have spent years building an extensive network of underground facilities often referred to as “missile cities” designed to shield strategic weapons from aerial attacks. These fortified installations are believed to house a significant portion of the country’s long-range missile arsenal and drone fleets.
Escobar argues that despite rising tensions and ongoing strikes in the region, much of this infrastructure has not been seriously degraded, leaving Iran with the ability to continue launching sustained attacks on strategic targets if the conflict escalates.
Analysts say the assessment highlights Tehran’s strategy of long-term endurance warfare, relying on hidden launch systems, drones and ballistic missiles to maintain pressure on adversaries over an extended period.
‼️Breaking News 🚨: 🇮🇷 Iran has reportedly bombed a 🇱🇷 Liberian-flagged vessel on March 7, 2026.
According to the Liberian permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization, only one person was injured, and everyone on board has been evacuated successfully.
Liberia has condemned a missile strike on a Liberian-flagged vessel near Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦. Speaking at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Liberia’s representative Robert Moncio Kpadeh described the incident as a serious violation of international maritime laws and the safety of global navigation.
Note 📝: Thinkers say the Liberian flag 🇱🇷 resembles the American flag 🇺🇸, with the main difference being the number of stars.
Key differences: 🇱🇷 Liberia: 11 red and white stripes and 1 white star on a blue square. 🇺🇸 United States: 13 stripes and 50 stars on a blue rectangle.
Israeli Airstrikes Damage North Korean Embassy in Tehran; Kim Jong Un Vows Retaliation
On March 10, 2026, amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets in Tehran, reports emerged that strikes landed near or damaged portions of the North Korean embassy compound. The claim, first circulated by RKM News and amplified on social media, lacks confirmation from established Western or official sources such as Reuters, CNN, BBC, or the Israeli Defense Forces.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly vowed to take appropriate action in response to the incident. Pyongyang has previously condemned the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran as illegal aggression, though no prior direct involvement or embassy-specific threats were documented.
The broader conflict, now in its second week following initial strikes on February 28 that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, continues to focus on Iranian military and fuel infrastructure in the capital. No major outlets have verified embassy damage or any North Korean diplomatic response beyond general condemnations.
Social media reactions range from speculation of escalation to skepticism over the report’s credibility, with some users labeling it unconfirmed rumor.
Iran’s Desperate Gamble: Choking the World’s Oil Lifeline in a Losing War
Iran’s regime is trying one last card to force America out of the fight: strangling global energy supplies by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran hopes sky-high oil prices will hammer the U.S. economy and pressure President Trump to back off.
It isn’t working. Tanker traffic has already collapsed to near zero, with one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas bottled up. Prices spiked hard at first, but markets are starting to see through the bluff. Trump has made clear: any further Iranian interference means they get hit twenty times harder, with “death, fire, and fury” if they touch the flow.
The U.S. and Israel have degraded Iran’s navy and missile stocks in days, not weeks. Shipping disruptions hurt Iran and its allies far more than the West. Tehran’s threats look more like panic than strategy as the conflict grinds on and their capabilities erode fast.
Arab Tribes in Iran’s Oil Heartland Reject the Mullahs: A Bold Call for Freedom and Unity
A group of Arab tribes in Khuzestan province—Iran’s vital oil-producing region—has issued a striking political declaration rejecting the Islamic Republic outright. They demand its complete removal and the establishment of a secular, democratic government grounded in human rights.
Key points from the statement:
– Khuzestan remains an inseparable part of Iran; separatism is firmly rejected. – Unity must prevail among all ethnic groups, including Kurds, Azeris, Baluch, and Persians. – They endorse Reza Pahlavi as a unifying transitional figure to guide the nation toward free elections and stability. – The tribes call for social and economic justice, ensuring Khuzestan’s oil wealth benefits its people under responsible national governance.
This comes from descendants of tribes like Bani Tamim, Bani Kaab, and others, who affirm their deep bond with Iran’s soil while condemning decades of discrimination, poverty, environmental ruin, and repression under the regime.
In a province long plagued by grievances yet central to Iran’s economy and strategic power, this unified anti-regime stand—without fringe separatist demands—marks a serious fracture. It signals growing internal pressure on a weakened theocracy, especially as broader unrest and external pressures mount.
The mullahs’ grip looks shakier by the day. Iranians of all stripes are increasingly ready to reclaim their country. Long live a free and united Iran.
Dr. Dre is now a billionaire years after his ex-wife div0rced and took almost 50% of his assets
According to Forbes, he’s now a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $1 billion.
Dr. Dre was once a multi-millionaire with an estimated net worth of $850 million, but when his ex-wife filed for div0rce, he went from Euro to Zer0
The c-ourt ordered him to pay his ex-wife about $300,000 per month — which is over $3 million per year — in spousal support.
He was also ordered to continue covering her health insurance, despite the fact that she received millions in the settlement along with assets such as cars, property, and other business interests.
This was not CHILD support, but SPOUSAL support, and Dr. Dre would have to continue paying it until she remarries or p@ss a-way
Can you imagine that❓
Despite that setback, Dr. Dre has bounced back stronger than ever and is now officially a billionaire
BREAKING: Senator Richard Blumenthal emerges ashen-faced from an Iran War briefing and reveals that he has never been so “angry” in his entire 15 career year in the Senate.
And the details are jaw-dropping…
“I emerge from this briefing as dissatisfied and angry, frankly, as I have from any past briefing in my 15 years in the Senate,” he told reporters. “I am left with more questions than answers, especially about the cost of the war. However, my questions have been unanswered, and I will demand answers because the American people deserve to know.”
According to The Washington Post, the United States burned through a staggering $5.6 billion in munitions in just the first two days of the illegal war. This is the same administration that insists that we don’t have money for healthcare or social services.
“And I guess I am most concerned about the threat to American lives of potentially deploying our sons and daughters on the ground in Iran,” Blumenthal continued. “We seem to be on a path toward deploying American troops on the ground in Iran to accomplish any of the potential objectives here. And there is also, as disturbingly as anything else, the specter of active Russian aid to Iran, putting in danger American lives.”
“Literally, Russia seems to be aiding our enemy actively and intensively with intelligence and perhaps with other means. And China also may be assisting Iran,” he continued.
“So the American people deserve to know much more than this administration has told them about the cost of the war, the danger to our sons and daughters in uniform, and the potential for further escalation and widening of this war, a war of choice made by this president, not chosen by the American people, with potentially huge consequences to American lives,” the senator added.
That “war of choice” bit is particularly crucial. Trump launched this deadly, evil war on behalf of Israel despite Iran posing no immediate threat to the people of the United States. He’s slaughtering men, women, and children and can’t even articulate a coherent strategic goal. Meanwhile, he never bothered to get Congressional approval for the war as demanded by the Constitution and he’s rapidly burning through our tax dollars.
The mere suggestion that we would put boots on the ground in Iran should horrify every American. In addition to being a morally reprehensible action, it would result in the greatest military disaster in U.S. history. Iran has a population of 93 million people, it’s four times larger than Iraq and it’s all mountains. Our brave soldiers would be walking into a slaughterhouse.- Occupy Democrats
Vietnam Urges Work-From-Home to Dodge Fuel Crisis as Strait of Hormuz Stays Shut
Vietnam’s trade ministry is telling businesses to push remote work hard. The goal: slash commuting and save fuel during shortages and wild price spikes.
The trigger? Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating Middle East war. That narrow chokepoint normally handles about 20% of the world’s oil trade. Right now, almost no commercial ships are moving through—zero entries into the Persian Gulf in recent 24-hour periods, only a handful of Iran-linked vessels slipping out. Threats of missiles and drones have frozen traffic, stranding hundreds of tankers and crews.
Oil prices have soared past $100 a barrel in spots, with some forecasts warning of $120–140 if the squeeze lasts. Vietnam, heavily dependent on Middle East imports, feels the pain fast. Petrol, diesel, and kerosene costs jumped 21–80% since the conflict heated up. Hanoi already scrapped import tariffs on many fuels to ease shortages, but conservation is the immediate play.
The ministry’s guidance echoes pandemic-era moves: work from home where possible to cut travel. Similar calls popped up in Thailand and hints in Pakistan too. Asia’s oil-hungry economies are scrambling as the global energy shockwave spreads.
If the strait reopens soon—some analysts bet partial traffic resumes in weeks—the damage might stay contained. Until then, remote work is Vietnam’s frontline defense against empty tanks and economic gridlock.
America Pulls Key Missile Defenses from South Korea to Fight Iran
The United States is dismantling and shipping out parts of its THAAD and Patriot missile defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East. The move supports America’s war effort against Iran, where interceptor stocks have been depleted by heavy fighting and Iranian missile barrages.
Photos from Yonhap News show U.S. personnel at a South Korean base taking down launchers and components for redeployment. Reports from Reuters, The Washington Post, and Chosun Ilbo confirm the shift, driven by urgent needs to protect U.S. forces and allies facing ballistic and drone threats.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated Seoul can still deter North Korea without these systems, citing strong domestic defenses and higher military spending. He expressed opposition to the redeployment but admitted South Korea cannot block U.S. decisions.
Critics warn the pullout risks emboldening Pyongyang at a time when American commitments in Asia appear stretched thin. The Pentagon prioritizes the Middle East crisis, leaving allies to question long-term reliability.
🔥 BRAZIL PRESIDENT WARNS RAMAPHOSA: “MAKE SOUTH AFRICA’S ARMY STRONG OR ONE DAY YOUR COUNTRY COULD BE INVADED” — WILL RAMAPHOSA ACT OR END UP HIDING UNDER THE COUCH AT PHALA PHALA FARM AGAIN?
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has reportedly warned that countries like Brazil and South Africa must strengthen their military forces or risk becoming vulnerable to powerful nations.
Lula said that if nations do not prepare themselves with strong defence systems and capable armies, there may come a day when another country decides to invade them. His message was clear: sovereignty must be protected by a strong and prepared military.
The warning comes at a time when global tensions are rising and powerful countries continue to show their military strength around the world. Some analysts believe nations that are politically independent or part of alliances like BRICS could face pressure from bigger powers.
South Africa, like Brazil, is a member of BRICS and has increasingly spoken about global balance of power and independence from Western influence.
However, the warning is now raising serious questions here at home.
🇿🇦 Is South Africa’s army strong enough to defend the country if a powerful nation tried to interfere? 🇿🇦 Will President Cyril Ramaphosa now strengthen the South African National Defence Force to protect the country? 🇿🇦 Or will he wait until danger comes and end up hiding under the couch at Phala Phala farm again?
Many South Africans believe the country must invest more in defence and security to ensure that the nation can protect itself in an increasingly unpredictable world.
US-Israeli coalition bombs apartment building in Tehran, killing 40 innocent people, including a 1-year-old girl, after Trump vows to unleash “death, fire, and fury!”
Last night, the president promised to unleash horrific violence against Iran, saying “we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back as a nation again,” Trump threatened Monday night. “Death, fire, and fury will rain upon them.”
The military was already making good on that promise, striking a residential building near Resalat Square in Tehran, a heavily populated part of the city, killing dozens of people. Footage filmed by rescuers showed them pulling the body of a one-year-old girl from the rubble.
Can you imagine what the reaction would be if Iran bombed a New York City apartment building?
But that’s what Iran has had to deal with every single day. According to the Iranian Red Crescent humanitarian group, 13,785 civilian buildings have been damaged in the US-Israeli attacks, including 11,293 housing units, 2,383 commercial buildings, and 65 schools.
30% of the civilians killed in the bombing have been children, and the Iranian death toll has risen to 1255.
We cannot allow these kinds of horrific war crimes to be normalized. In each of those homes lived a family just like yours or mine, people who love their children like we do, go grocery shopping like we do, and live under an authoritarian, tyrannical leader they would like to replace just like we do.- Occupy Democrats
Republican Senator publicly rips Trump for his “irresponsible” warmongering: “this is our SECOND war in a month!”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) went hard on CNN Business this morning, ripping into the Trump administration’s push for a half-trillion-dollar military budget increase while the U.S. is already fighting two wars in a single month.
Paul warned that the country is dangerously overextended, with wars costing lives and “treasure” at a time when national debt is spiraling out of control.
“We currently spend more on our military than the next 10 countries combined,” Paul said. “We spend four times more than China. Our military budget is not inadequate – it is enormous.” He called a 50% jump in one budget cycle “fiscally irresponsible,” especially with threats from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea already looming.
Paul argued the real danger isn’t foreign invasion – it’s the crushing debt fueled by the military-industrial complex.
“We are swimming in a sea of debt, and this debt will drag us down,” he said. “War is not free … not in terms of lives, but also not free in terms of dollars.”
When host Maria Bartiromo pressed him on Sen. Lindsey Graham’s claim that “it’s not the time to talk about money” because we need to “defeat the enemy,” Paul pushed back hard: the fiscal reality can’t be ignored, even in wartime.
His stance stands in stark contrast to the administration’s “peace through strength” rhetoric and endless escalation in Iran, where seven U.S. troops are already dead, gas prices are spiking while stocks are tanking, and homeland terror warnings are ignored.
While MAGA cheers for more bombs and bigger budgets, Paul is sounding the alarm that endless war spending could bankrupt the nation before any foreign enemy does.
BREAKING: Pentagon leak exposes JAW-DROPPING COST of Trump’s Iran war after $5.6 billion spent in just 48 hours.
If you’re wondering what the U.S. government is spending your money on — instead of, say, providing healthcare and other needed services to taxpayers, just look to the massive sums that Trump just funneled to an illegal and unwanted war with Iran.
Donald Trump promised Americans a “short-term excursion.” What the Pentagon is actually delivering looks more like a bottomless money pit..
According to new figures shared with Congress, the U.S. military burned through a staggering $5.6 billion in advanced munitions in just the first two days of Trump’s war with Iran. That’s not the full cost of the war — that’s just the opening salvo.
The price tag comes from the early phase of “Operation Epic Fury,” when the Pentagon unleashed some of its most expensive weapons, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and advanced air defense interceptors. Alarm bells are already ringing on Capitol Hill as lawmakers realize just how quickly America is burning through its most sophisticated and costly weaponry.
And the meter is still running.
Recent estimates suggest the war is costing roughly $1 billion every single day — a pace that could push the total price tag toward $215 billion if the conflict drags on through September.
Meanwhile, the risks are mounting beyond the massive financial cost. U.S. forces have already lost seven servicemembers in the conflict, and a friendly-fire incident involving Kuwait reportedly destroyed three American F-15 fighter jets, each worth around $100 million.
To keep the war machine moving, Trump’s administration is now expected to ask Congress for tens of billions more in emergency defense funding.
And what’s Trump telling his allies while the bills pile up and American lives are lost?
At a retreat with House Republicans at his Doral resort in Florida, Trump brushed it all off as a quick mission that will be “finished pretty quickly.”
But here’s the reality: the weapons stockpiles are shrinking, the price tag is exploding, and American taxpayers are being handed the bill for a war that keeps escalating by the day.
“Short-term excursion”? Tell that to the families paying for it. – Occupy Democrats
🇮🇷🇮🇹 The only Catholic bishop of Iran, Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan, has been evacuated to Rome following the start of the Israeli-American military operation in Iran on February 28. The Belgian cardinal left the country along with the staff of the Italian embassy.
Cardinal Dominique Mathieu: “I arrived in Rome yesterday, not without sorrow and pain for our brothers and sisters in Iran, as part of the complete evacuation of the Italian embassy.”
In Iran live approximately 20,000 Christians, of whom about 3,500 are Catholics, including around 1,300 Latin Catholics who depend directly on Rome.
Even before the current conflict, Christians lived in a complicated context under the Iranian regime, affected by great repressive measures.
SHOCKING CLAIMS ROCK GLOBAL SECURITY: Viral Images Claim Israel 🇮🇱 Intelligence Chief David Barnea Has Been Killed in a Missile Strike — But Is This Real or Dangerous War-Time Misinformation?
Reports and dramatic images spreading rapidly across social media are claiming that David Barnea, the head of Israel 🇮🇱’s intelligence agency Mossad, has been killed in a missile attack.
The pictures circulating online appear to show a body being carried away after what is described as a deadly strike. Some posts claim the person in the images is Barnea, who leads one of the most powerful intelligence agencies in the world.
However, there is currently no official confirmation from Israeli authorities, the Israeli government, or major international news organisations confirming that the Mossad chief has been killed.
Security analysts warn that during periods of geopolitical tension and conflict, misleading images and unverified claims can spread quickly, sometimes being used as propaganda or psychological warfare.
If the reports were to be confirmed, it would represent a major shock to global intelligence networks, as Mossad plays a key role in Israel’s covert operations, intelligence gathering, and international security missions.
For now, the situation remains unclear and developing, and observers are urging people to wait for verified information before drawing conclusions.
💬 What do you think — is this a real breaking development or another example of misinformation spreading online during conflict?
Trump just vowed to block ALL legislation until Congress passes his voting bill, then bragged Democrats “probably won’t win an election for 50 years” if it passes.
The SAVE America Act, which squeaked through the House 218-213 on pure party lines, would force every voter to show up in person with a passport or birth certificate just to register.
More than 21 million Americans lack ready access to those documents. The Center for American Progress estimates it could create new voting hurdles for up to 100 million people
It gets worse.
The bill would take effect immediately upon signing right before midterm elections. Election officials who register someone without perfect paperwork could face prison time, even if the voter is a citizen.
And every state would be forced to hand its voter rolls over to DHS for screening through a database that has already been flagging actual citizens as noncitizens.
The problem this is supposed to solve? It barely exists. Utah reviewed its entire voter registration list, over 2 million voters, and found exactly one noncitizen registered and zero who actually voted.
Here’s the real backdrop: a new NBC News poll shows 62% of voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation and cost of living and Democrats hold a 6-point lead on the generic congressional ballot He’s staring down a brutal midterm, so instead of winning voters, he’s trying to eliminate them.
Senate Democrats have vowed to kill it. Schumer called it Jim Crow for the 21st century. Even Republican senators like Murkowski and Collins have pushed back.
Trump’s approval is underwater. His economy numbers are tanking. Democrats are up 6 points on the congressional ballot. So instead of earning votes, he’s trying to make sure millions of people can’t cast them
TRUMP SAYS IRAN HAS TOMAHAWK MISSILES WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE DEADLY STRIKE THAT KILLED 165 SCHOOL KIDS IN TEHRAN.
President Donald Trump said Iran has access to U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles when asked whether the United States would accept responsibility for a strike on a girls’ school in Iran that killed at least 165 school kids.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the missile used in the strike could have come from Iran itself or another country, arguing that the Tomahawk is widely available. “Whether it’s Iran or somebody else … a Tomahawk is very generic,” he said, adding that the missile is “sold and used by other countries” and that Iran “also has some Tomahawks.”
The Tomahawk cruise missile is manufactured by U.S. defense contractor Raytheon and has been sold to allied nations including Japan and Australia . However, there is no public evidence to suggest that Iran has obtained or operates the missile.
Pressed on why he appeared to be the only member of his administration making the statement, Trump said, “Because I just don’t know enough about it,” and added that he would accept the findings of any official investigation.
“Whatever the report shows, I’m willing to live with that report,” he said.
U.S. Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III Sends Strong Warning to South Africa — Billions in American Investment, But Washington Says Patience Is Running Out
Relations between United States and South Africa are facing growing tension after the U.S. ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III issued a strong message about the future of diplomatic and economic ties.
Bozell pointed out that major American technology companies such as Visa, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have invested billions of rands in South Africa over the years. According to him, these companies collectively support around 250,000 jobs for South Africans, showing how deeply American investment is connected to the country’s economy.
However, the ambassador warned that Washington’s patience is wearing thin. He raised several issues that the U.S. government wants Pretoria to address, including:
Concerns about violence in rural farming communities
The controversial “Kill the Boer” chant, which American officials say fuels tension
Calls for fair land compensation policies
Requests to ease strict ownership requirements under BEE laws
Greater cooperation in the technology and digital sector
Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been strained since last year during the administration of Donald Trump, the President of the United States, when tensions escalated over South Africa’s foreign policy positions toward Iran and Israel.
During that period, Washington reportedly halted some aid, introduced tariffs, and expelled diplomats, which further complicated relations. Currently, there is no South African ambassador in Washington, highlighting the depth of the diplomatic rift.
Bozell also called on South Africa to practice what he described as “genuine non-alignment” in international politics, suggesting that Pretoria should balance its global partnerships more carefully.
Some organisations, including AfriForum, welcomed the ambassador’s direct comments, saying they highlight issues that need attention. But reactions online have been mixed, with many South Africans questioning whether the United States should be issuing warnings to a sovereign country.
The situation has sparked a wider debate about foreign investment, sovereignty, land reform, and South Africa’s global alliances.
🔴Breaking News : U.S. Senator Graham Threatens Saudi Arabia With “Consequences” for Refusing to Join War on Iran as Gulf Region Burns
In a stunning escalation of diplomatic tensions, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)publicly threatened Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations Monday, warning of “consequences” if they refuse to enter the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran a war the Gulf states opposed from the very beginning..
Graham posted on X: “It is my understanding the Kingdom refuses to use their capable military as part of an effort to end the barbaric and terrorist Iranian regime who has te₹rorized the region and unalived 7 Americans. Should America do a defense agreement with a country like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is unwilling to join a fight of mutual interest?”He added: “Hopefully this changes soon. If not, consequences will follow.”
🌍 THE BIGGER PICTURE:
Within the first 48 hours of the conflict, Iran targeted all GCC countries UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain striking not just U.S. military bases, but civilian airports, hotels, and major oil and gas infrastructure.
Iran damaged QatarEnergy’s facilities at Ras Laffan prompting the world’s largest LNG producer to halt production entirely as well as Saudi Arabia’s most important refinery, Ras Tanura, and UAE oil facilities. Oil prices jumped 13% by March 3, while European natural gas futures soared over 40%. Analysts warn Brent crude could climb above $120 per barrel. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest international hub, suspended operations indefinitely.
🏛️ GULF STATES PUSH BACK:
The UAE’s ambassador to the UN stated plainly: *”We have constantly informed that our territories would not be used for any attacks against Iran. Yet we are being targeted, frankly, in a very unwarranted manner.”
One of the Arab world’s wealthiest businessmen, UAE billionaire Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, publicly rejected Graham’s demands, writing: “The truth is that hasty American decisions are what embroiled the region in a war whose peoples were not party to its decision-making, and its local allies were not consulted before it was launched.”He concluded:”Anyone who hears your statements might think you’re a member of the Israeli Knesset.”
⚠️ WHAT’S AT STAKE:
Last year, the Trump administration signed a $142 billion defense and security deal with Saudi Arabia, which included access to F-35 fighter jets typically reserved for America’s closest allies. Graham is now openly questioning whether that deal should continue.
Analysts say Gulf states only see bad options. “The Gulf leaders are just really trying to calculate which is the lesser of two evils,” said one expert at the Quincy Institute — complete chaos and destabilization in Iran, or an even more hostile and frightened regime.
📌 Sources: Middle East Eye | Al Jazeera | Responsible Statecraft | Atlantic Council | Middle East Council on Global Affairs | MEAWW News | DailyClout | Türkiye Today
LEAs SHOULD INVESTIGATE, ARREST MUNDUBILE OVER KAMBWILI’ s ALLEGATIONS
CHIEF Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has wondered why investigative agencies are not pursuing Brian Mundubile after allegations of theft from Chishimba Kambwili.
In the audio Mweetwa is referring to, Kambwili is heard talking to a man he referred to as Kashishi, alleging that he had all the evidence against Alliance faction president Mundubile’s theft and if he exposed him, no one would like it.
Kambwili added that Mundubile was a “thief” who used to give himself invoices without working.
In an interview, Sunday, Mweetwa wondered why the investigative agencies had not followed up on the tip.
“We are wondering what security agencies are still doing in pursuing Mundubile because Chishimba Kambiwi told us and it is in public domain that…
Don’t vote for any presidential candidate who held senior post in PF – Sean Tembo
PEP president Sean Tembo, who is a former ally of the former ruling party has warned Zambians not to vote for any presidential candidate who previously held a senior position in the PF in the upcoming August elections.
In a statement, Tembo said the impunity, abuse of state institutions and lawlessness under PF are things the country must never return to.
“Anyone who served in a senior role under the PF regime is unqualified to promise good governance today. That is if we are serious about building a better Zambia,” he said.
He stated that most of the lawlessness and abuse the country experiences sometimes was borrowed directly from the PF handbook.
“We all remember 2021. The Zambian people replaced a bad PF government with a worse UPND government. That mistake can happen again if we are not careful,” he said.
He noted that it is importance to know of a candidate’s track record and personal values before their political life.
“Before supporting any candidate, voters must ask: what alternative solutions has this person offered for national problems in the past four and a half years? Are they documented? Are they sound? Or is the candidate only engaged in condemnation without proposing solutions?”
“A candidate’s life history matters. Values and principles are not something you can wear like a jacket depending on the occasion. A person who has spent their lifetime putting their pockets first will not suddenly start caring about the people just because they become president,” he said.
Tembo said personal competence, vision and focus are crucial qualities for a president.
“A president becomes the alpha and omega of government. Ministers and senior officials often avoid contradicting them for fear of being labeled disloyal.This means that assembling a competent team is not enough if the president lacks basic competence, vision, and focus,” explained Tembo.
“An ideal candidate should have achieved something in their personal life, built something sustainable and proven not merely relied on government or political connections for success. The future is SET. Be careful, choose wisely, and do not repeat the mistakes of 2021.”https://kalemba.news/…/dont-vote-for-any-presidential…/
God will celebrate me for removing meal allowances – Prof Nkandu Luo
FORMER Minister of Higher Education Professor Nkandu Luo says God will not hold her accountable for abolishing student meal allowances because she did it for the good of every student in the country.
Appearing on Crown TV last night, Prof Luo said her 2019 decision to remove the allowances was because only two universities were benefiting.
She explained that to be fair, she, together with Zambian parents and other stakeholders, allowed the removal of the allowances.
“On the day of judgment, I will not be penalised for that. If anything, God will celebrate me for making it possible for all universities, colleges, and trade schools to benefit,” said Prof Luo.
“Would it be fair for you to continue just buying chocolates for your two sons or daughters, whereas the other five are eating nothing? So we had to think about how it would be possible to support all the universities.”
According to her, support for students across colleges, trade schools, and universities began during her time as minister, not under the UPND in 2021.
“Today, not from 2021, but from the time I was Minister of Higher Education, all the colleges, all the trade schools, all the universities, students were benefiting. So no one should credit UPND and say this is the first time it has happened from 2021. It is not true.”
She explained that when she became Minister of Higher Education, Zambia had three operational universities, namely, the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University, and Mulungushi University, but only two were receiving meal allowances.
“Of these three, only the Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia students were benefiting, and in small numbers,” said Prof Luo.
“The meal allowance was not a decision I made alone. It was discussed with parents and students and taken to Cabinet for approval.”
She said to support all students, the government introduced a skills levy and a loan scheme. “I asked the Minister of Finance to introduce a skills levy so that all the colleges and all the trade schools could benefit from government support. Nobody talks about that because it cannot be used politically against me,” said Prof Luo.
She said the loan scheme allowed graduates to pay back and in turn support new students, while the government opened support to all seven universities that had become operational.
“The second thing we did was to introduce a loan scheme so that everybody who has gone through UNZA and CBU starts paying back, and that money is used to support the students,” said Prof Luo.
Patriotic Front member Chishimba Kambwili has declared that the PF remains capable of returning to power, delivering one of the clearest political signals yet that the former ruling party intends to reassert itself in Zambia’s national political arena.
Kambwili, one of the most outspoken and recognisable figures in the Patriotic Front, said the party still commands widespread support across the country and retains the political machinery necessary to challenge for power. His remarks come as opposition leaders continue positioning themselves within an evolving political landscape shaped by internal contests and shifting alliances.
Speaking in remarks carried in the media, Kambwili expressed confidence that the PF remains deeply rooted in communities across Zambia despite the political transition that followed the 2021 elections. He said the party’s support base had not disappeared and that many citizens still identify with the political movement that governed Zambia for a decade.
Kambwili’s statement also follows his recent period of incarceration, an episode that placed him at the centre of national political discussion. Rather than diminishing his political presence, the experience has reinforced his standing among supporters who regard him as one of the party’s most vocal and influential figures.
Throughout his political career, Kambwili has built a reputation as a forceful campaigner capable of mobilising grassroots structures. His re-emergence in political discourse therefore carries weight within PF circles where leadership debates continue to shape the party’s direction.
The Patriotic Front, which held power from 2011 to 2021, remains one of Zambia’s most significant opposition forces. Since leaving government, the party has experienced internal debate regarding leadership, strategy and the path toward political recovery.
Within that context, Kambwili’s declaration that the PF can return to power signals the determination among sections of the party to rebuild momentum and reconnect with voters across the country.
Political analysts note that the PF’s future will depend heavily on how effectively it reorganises its structures and consolidates leadership within the party. Figures such as Kambwili continue to play an important role in shaping that conversation.
For many PF supporters, the party’s decade in government remains a central reference point in political discussions. Kambwili’s remarks draw on that history while projecting confidence that the organisation can once again position itself as a major contender in national politics.
His intervention also highlights the broader contest underway within the opposition landscape where political actors are outlining their visions for leadership and influence.
Despite internal debates, the PF continues to command a visible presence in Zambia’s political environment. Statements from senior party figures such as Kambwili underscore the determination among members to maintain relevance and reassert the party’s political strength.
Kambwili’s message ultimately reflects the ongoing struggle for leadership and direction within opposition politics, a process that will continue to shape the country’s political narrative as parties reorganise and prepare for future electoral contests.
Former ZAMMSA DG Victor Nyasulu Joins Citizens First
By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
Former ZAMMSA Director General Victor Nyasulu has joined Citizens First barely six months after he defected to the Patriotic Front following his resignation from the United Party for National Development.
CF Media Director Innocent Lupiya was on hand to officially welcome Mr. Nyasulu into the party.
Mr. Nyasulu previously contested the position of Mayor in the 2021 general elections on the UPND ticket.
After losing the election, he filed a petition before the Tribunal on Local Government Elections, which was later dismissed.
He was subsequently appointed Director General of Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency, a position he held until July 19, 2024, when he was relieved of his duties following a scandal involving 61 missing ZAMMSA containers.
May be an image of one or more people, people playing soccer and text The Fish Eagle
Stop day-dreaming Munir Zulu; Lusaka Central can’t be moved by Chibuku or cheap T/shirts from Kamwala!
Former Lumezi member of parliament, Munir Zulu, a recent ‘graduate’ from the Zambia Correctional Services has declared his intentions to gun for the Lusaka Central constituency in his bid to punish and teach the current MP, Mulambo Haimbe a few political lessons. The young man is being delusional. This is more like a lizard imagining it can swallow a crocodile! If we were in Haimbe’s position, we wouldn’t even be spending sleepless nights.
Why do we say so?
Lusaka Central isn’t a village like Lumezi or a shanty like Kanyama whereby a clueless character devoid of any track record or any credentials to speak about can just wake up from deep slumber and say they’re going to represent them in the August house and expect a red carpet to be rolled-out for them or indeed roses to be handed to them!
This particular constituency is home to some of the country’s elites – business executives, senior government officials, top-notch professionals of all kinds and children born with silver spoons in their mouths. They are not going to be enticed or moved with things like Chibuku, cheap T/shirts and chitenges from Kamwala or indeed a plate of nshima and chicken! You’d probably need to come with a front end loader bwana.
The bigger part of Lusaka Central is already developed; people of this constituency are not looking for a Kaponya type of representative who is going to make unnecessary noise in Parliament. They are looking for a well informed individual who is going to articulate issues on the floor of the house and float ideas that are going to transform the area much more – play parks, street lights, paved walk ways, improved security as well as upgrading Bauleni shanty compound into a proper township.
Munir should ask his friend, Binwell Mpundu why he’s running away from Nkana…..it’s a herculean task to easily secure consecutive terms in an elite constituency. Folks such as Dipak Patel managed to last two terms in Lusaka Central because they represented values and ideas that identified with the people.
What is Munir bringing to the table that is going to easily excite the ‘apamwambas’ of Lusaka Central? We would proffer the young man free advice: stick to the initial idea of going into self-imposed exile since you can’t imagine HH on the throne for another 5 years!
Prince Bill M. Kaping’a National Coordinator HH Mpaka 2031 People’s Alliance See less Comments Brian Masaku Bill Kapinga 🙌
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH “KEEMBE IS NO GO AREA MESSAGE” – KASUNE.
By Martin Lubasi, Andrew Mwantitima, James Mwale
Justice Minister and Keembe Constituency Member of Parliament Princess Kasune has struggled to distance herself from the roundly condemned acts of her constituency Chairperson Harrison Kanyama who yesterday harassed women and the Media in Chibombo District.
Speaking during the Keembe FM Breakfast Show this morning Kasune stated that the message “Keembe is a no go area” is the same as the PF slogan of “ALEBWELELAPO” adding that there is nothing wrong with such messages.
Former Lumezi Member of Parliament Munir Zulu was recently slapped with a jail sentence for uttering similar sentiments when he said that Eastern and Northern provinces were going to be “no go areas” for the people of Southern province.
Zulu was roundly condemned and was jailed until now when he again started enjoying his freedom.
However Kasune who is Justice Minister has declined to condemn the chasing and blocking of her fellow women by Mr Kanyama who travelled from far places to celebrate the International Women’s Day yesterday in Chibombo District, Central province.
The Justice Minister has also hinted that she will sue Keembe FM for aligning her with the party Keembe Constituency Chairperson.
Kasune says Keembe FM should not have reported about her as leader of the Constituency but only focused on other activities including the speech she delivered during the Women’s Day.
Yesterday, Keembe FM News crew and women from the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative were harassed by Kanyama who stated that this media house is not mandated to interview citizens without prior clearance.
Kanyama also stated that several other women carrying banners not bearing messages supporting Kasune were ordered not to display the same.
Meanwhile Keembe Constituency residents have called on their area Member of parliament to address them adding that they have several pending questions for her.
Keembe FM has made several attempts to host the Minister of Justice regarding numerous calls from her electorates but she has been extremely busy and has always promised to get back to her people.
comedian and actor Baldwin Phiri, popularly known as Henry BJ or Uncle Limbani or Masuzyo Mwaiche, has declared his intentions to contest Lusaka central constituency as members of parliament.
Phiri who is well known for his master of ceremonies activities is a qualified chartered marketer, computer programmer and political scientist.
“I step forward with a vision of progress, accountability and inclusive growth for our constituency, guided by the interests of the people above all else.
As an independent candidate, my commitment is to serve the people of Lusaka Central with integrity, fairness and a voice that represents the community without fear or favour,” Phiri stated in a statement made available to S24 News.
In this country, at times politicians seem to ‘parrot’ the most outrageous and ludicrous things in their desperate attempt to score a few points or indeed gain political mileage devoid of any semblance of shame even when such things will come to haunt them in the near future.
A good case in point is obviously outspoken, former Roan member of parliament, Chishimba Kambwili who seemingly still remains not far from stirring up controversy or indeed shoving his foot in his mouth.
In a social media video which has since been resurrected from the archives and since gone viral, Kambwili could be heard bragging about certain things that he doesn’t really believe in, typical of any common Zambian politician!
Speaking to Kalani Muchima, who at the time worked for Muvi TV as a talk show host, in his usual fashion, Kambwili obviously had lurid things to share; by this time the outspoken politician had parted company with PF in a firestorm!
“Insinuating that I can go back to PF the same way GBM has done is an insult to me!” he blurted. “I am very principled, am not like these politicians.”
When Muchima put to him he was behaving the same way as his colleague, GBM who had earlier indicated he can never rejoin tukabolala (thieves) in PF only to turn 360 degrees and do the opposite shortly afterwards, he retorted, “I’d refer to myself as being mad, a lunatic if I went back to PF!”
The outspoken politician further elaborated that unless Lungu resigned as PF leader, and unless thieves in PF were arrested and corruption was wiped out completely, and leave the PF the same way they started it, he would never ever go and work under Edgar Lungu.
“Edgar Lungu is not fit to be President of this country and he’ll never be fit to be President of this country!” emphadised, Kambwili.
Well, well, well…..look who was talking. Hasn’t the man from Luanshya since gone back to his vomit?
As we all well know, Kambwili abandoned his party NDC and crawled back to PF well before Lungu’s demise. His conscience did not haunt him about the things he used to say about Lungu – drunkard, corrupt etc! He was more than willing to work with the former head of state to bring down Hichilema for as long as it took. He even took to taking morning jogs with Lungu to repair his broken relationship with him.
Where does this tell us? Can the former cabinet minister confirm he’s not mad or indeed a lunatic for him to have gone back to work with Lungu?
Another earth shattering remark Kambwili made in the video was about not being keen to work with the PF unless all the thieves in the party were arrested! Who are those in PF? Hasn’t Kambwili been vociferous in condemning any arrests made of the suspected PF thieves by the New Dawn Administration?
This is more the reason why we detest mainstream politics as most politicians don’t seem to believe in anything at all…..too many contradictions for our liking.
Prince Bill M. Kaping’a Political/Social Analyst Zambezi
…warns individuals responsible for spreading false information
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media, Thabo Kawana, has dismissed as false reports circulating on social media alleging that he has died.
In a statement issued to the public, Mr. Kawana clarified that the claims were malicious and unfounded, urging citizens to disregard the misinformation.
“I wish to categorically state that these reports are entirely false,” Mr. Kawana said.
He explained that he was alive, in good health, and currently away on his annual leave.
Mr. Kawana added that he remained optimistic about continuing to serve the nation, noting that he believed his work for Zambia was not yet complete.
Mr. Kawana also refuted a fabricated and misleading press release circulating online.
He warned individuals responsible for spreading false information that the country has adequate legal provisions to address the abuse of digital platforms.
Mr. Kawana noted that authorities would not hesitate to enforce the law against those found guilty of spreading fake news.
“Zambia has sufficient laws, including the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, to deal with individuals who abuse digital platforms,” he said.
He further appealed to the public to remain calm and verify information through official government communication channels to avoid being misled by false reports.
WHEN I TELL YOU THAT UPND IS AHEAD OF THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS, THIS IS WHAT I MEAN:
Yesterday, FDD rejected Hon. Brian Mundubile, electing Chifumu Banda as its party president. The FDD convention which took place yesterday elected Chifumu Banda as its party leader following the demise of Edith Nawakwi last year.
Firstly, even if FDD is left for Mundubile and the Tonse by and large: the time when prayers raised Lazarus from the dead passed.
The late, Edith Nawakwi was better than Mundubile and never took the party into power: what more our dear honorable who is still fighting to registering his presence in the constituencies across the country?
https://youtu.be/pJlk09im7Q4?si=9Qy7CHsW7h0WoUrn
Yes, Team Mundubile will definitely, swallow the money from funders be it standing on any political party-but, winning is practically looking unfavored.
Anyway, let’s exchange our thoughts regarding the FDD convention and the now Tonse Alliance drama.
What’s the best option left for Hon. Mundubile and Tonse Alliance? Share your thoughts in the comments section 👇
