Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison under brutal apartheid, yet he walked out with dignity, chose peace over vengeance, and extended his hand to those who had oppressed him. That’s true leadership. That’s true power. And today, he’s legacy is narrated in lecture rooms around the world.
President Hakainde Hichilema, your former political rival Edgar Lungu is dead. It will be two months in the mortuary by the next hearing, two months of open wound for the widow and the children. Two months of stressful legal wrangling. Two months of pain and indignity for a grieving family who simply want to lay their loved one to rest. Why can’t you just let them be? You are wasting so much of tax payer’s money in an attempt to retrieve a corpse , yet you neglect the breathing.
Is this about justice or vengeance? because us the people want the family to have timely closure, to begin to properly grieve.
Even in death, you’re holding on to a grudge. Is it fear? Insecurity? Concern that the opposition might use the burial to send a message? Let them. Messages fade. But history remembers character.
You won the election. You hold the power. But leadership isn’t about power , it’s about principle. And from leaders across Africa to Europe and beyond, whispers are growing louder. They say your actions are petty, vindictive, and deeply disappointing. You have made history, you are the first in the entire Africa to have done this…. What a legacy.
You speak of democracy, but you are freezing the body of a dead man. How vindictive must one be to continue punishing someone who can no longer speak for himself?
This isn’t just about Edgar. It’s about who we are ,and who we are becoming. Please, Mr President. Withdraw the petition. Let the man be buried with dignity. Let the family mourn in peace. Let Zambia rise above bitterness.
In the end, history will not remember the battles we won but how we treated those we defeated.
Archbishop Alick Banda of Zambia’s Lusaka Catholic Archdiocese has eulogized the late former Zambian President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, as a servant leader who remained steadfast in his faith in God, even when he experienced isolation and other life’s trials
In his homily during the Funeral Mass of the late President on Wednesday June 25 at Christ the King Cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg in South Africa, Archbishop Banda said the late Zambian political leader “carried burdens, which only few could see and understand.”
“Like Abraham, the late former president ventured into the unknown more than once — not always fully understanding, but often steadfast and trusting in God,” he said, referring to the June 25 First Reading from Genesis 15.
Archbishop Banda recalled that although late President Lungu “was isolated and detested” during his time in leadership, he put his trust in God, offering a powerful testament to the truth that faith is never “tried in comfort, but refined in tribulations.”
“Faith, particularly public faith, tends to entail being misunderstood, criticized, and opposed,” he observed, further noting, “It also entails clinging to a higher confidence in God’s providence, even when human voices are loud and the way forward is unclear.”
“My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s own life was not without questioning and silent recollection,” he said, referring to his journey from humble beginnings, through the legal profession, into politics, and ultimately to the presidency.
He added, “Just like many of us, he had both strengths and weaknesses, and imperfections. For all the good, we give glory and thanks to God and for all shortcomings, we entrust him to God’s mercy.”
In his June 25 homily, the Zambian Catholic Church leader recognized the late President’s “humility and silent strength” during his Presidency and encouraged Zambians to emulate the values he espoused, particularly his steadfast Christian faith and his view of leadership as a vocation of service.
“President Edgar Chagwa Lungu ruled our country in trying times, a time of drought, a time of the pandemic, a battered economy,” the Catholic Church leader said during the June 25 Funeral Mass in honour of the late former Zambian president, who passed on aged 68 at a medical facility in South Africa on June 5.
He noted that despite all the challenges, the late former Head of State “showed resilience and dedication to public service, maintaining the country’s peace, superintending over massive infrastructure developments across the country.”
Archbishop Banda further described the former late president’s peaceful handover of power to the incumbent, President Hakainde Hichilema, as an act of “prudence and humility.”
“He did not exhibit the acts of desperation for power, but a recognition that leadership is stewardship and not ownership,” he said.
The Local Ordinary of the Lusaka Archdiocese since his installation in April 2018 called upon Zambians to honour their former President’s legacy by fostering humility, integrity, and service-centred leadership “in renewed dedication to peace, harmony and dignity.”
“The Zambia he loved, the Zambia he saved, should be the Zambia we create anew going forward,” Archbishop Banda said.
Meanwhile, the burial of the late former President remains in limbo after a South African court issued an injunction on June 25, halting the previous plans for it.
According to a June 25 BBC News report, “The Zambian government had filed an urgent case in the Pretoria High Court seeking to stop the burial planned by his family” to take place at “a private ceremony” in South Africa.
“The news was only announced to mourners in a church in South Africa after a funeral mass had already finished,” the BBC News report indicates, referring to the “row between the government and Lungu’s family over his burial, after the family opted for a private ceremony in South Africa, rather than a full state funeral at home.”
The BBC News report explains that “the dispute follows a long-standing feud between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, with Lungu’s family saying he had indicated that Hichilema should not attend his funeral.”
Earlier, on June 19 church leaders, including representatives of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) called on both the government and the Lungu family to “find common ground” in the burial arrangements.
“It is regrettable that the funeral of a former Head of State remains in limbo,” the church leaders said, referring to the “uncertainty” surrounding the repatriation and burial of the late president, which was initially scheduled for June 18 afternoon.
In their June 19 statement, the church leaders in Zambia lamented the state of uncertainty noting, “It is affecting the general functioning of the nation, which remains in mourning.”
In the court ruling, the Pretoria court reportedly gave Zambian attorney general, Mulilo D Kabesha, until July 4 to submit his “amended notice of motion” in support of Lungu’s repatriation to Zambia.
Meanwhile, the former President’s family has until July 11 to file their opposing papers. “This matter will be heard as a special motion on the 4th of August 2025,” the court reportedly said.-aciafrica
As Zambia battles deepening power shortages and extended load-shedding hours, neighboring Zimbabwe is moving in the opposite direction promising 21 hours of uninterrupted electricity starting July 1, 2025. The development was confirmed by Mr. Tendai M. Vangoi, Corporate Affairs Officer at the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), who attributed the improvement to rising water levels at the Kariba Dam.
This stark contrast in power supply between the two countries who both rely on the same hydroelectric reservoir has sparked questions about energy governance, resource management, and political accountability. For Zambians experiencing longer blackouts, the announcement from Harare feels both confusing and frustrating.
Kariba Dam is a shared hydroelectric facility managed by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), jointly owned by Zambia and Zimbabwe. Each country is allocated a specific amount of water for electricity generation. When water levels drop, both are expected to reduce power production proportionately. But if the water levels have indeed improved, as ZETDC claims, Zambians are asking: why is their power situation worsening while Zimbabwe’s is improving?
Energy experts argue that the divergent outcomes stem from more than just rainfall or water allocation. Zimbabwe has reportedly ramped up its energy diversification strategy over the past year, investing in solar power, importing electricity from Mozambique and South Africa, and ensuring tighter coordination with the ZRA. These measures are now yielding visible results.
Zambia, on the other hand, continues to rely heavily on hydroelectric power, with Kariba being a critical component of its energy grid. Despite public commitments to diversify, progress on solar, wind, and thermal projects has been slow or plagued by bureaucratic delays. The consequences are now being felt across the country, where some communities are experiencing load-shedding of up to 12 hours a day.
The lack of transparency from Zambia’s power utility, ZESCO, and the Ministry of Energy has only compounded public frustration. Citizens are demanding clear explanations: What is Zambia’s current water allocation from Kariba? How many turbines are functional? Are there operational inefficiencies that are not being disclosed to the public?
The silence has given way to speculation, with some observers suggesting political interference, poor planning, and mismanagement as contributing factors. This erosion of public trust is dangerous especially in a country where economic activity, healthcare delivery, and education all depend heavily on stable electricity.
Energy policy analyst Ms. Ruth Nasilele says the comparison with Zimbabwe should be a wake-up call for Zambia. “The difference we are seeing is not in weather patterns. It’s in how each country is managing its energy crisis. Zimbabwe has acted with urgency and strategy. Zambia is reacting with excuses and opacity,” she noted.
While it is true that Kariba Dam’s water levels fluctuate with seasonal rainfall, it is also true that climate change has made such reliance increasingly risky. Energy diversification is not just a policy option it is now a national necessity. Zambia’s overdependence on hydropower leaves it exposed to both natural and human-induced vulnerabilities.
Moreover, the current crisis underlines the importance of regional cooperation and equitable resource management. If both countries draw power from Kariba, there must be mutual transparency in how water allocations are being used, and joint mechanisms to prevent one country’s success from coming at the perceived expense of the other.
Political commentators have also weighed in on the timing of Zimbabwe’s announcement. Some suggest that Harare’s improved energy supply is not only a result of technical strategy but also of deliberate political intent ensuring that citizens enter the next election cycle with fewer power grievances. This raises the question: is Zambia’s worsening situation simply poor planning, or a failure to politically prioritize energy security?
In rural Zambia, the impact of extended load-shedding is devastating. Farmers reliant on irrigation pumps, traders needing cold storage, and health centers using electric equipment are now struggling to operate. Without electricity, entire livelihoods are threatened, and small-scale industries grind to a halt.
Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, the announcement has been received with relief and cautious optimism. Citizens who have endured years of unpredictable power supply are hopeful that the new schedule will hold. If ZETDC delivers on its promise, Zimbabwe could become a case study in regional energy recovery something that could serve as a model or a mirror, depending on how Zambia responds.
ZESCO and the Ministry of Energy now face growing pressure to respond not only with facts but with a clear plan. The public wants more than statistics. They want urgency, clarity, and accountability. Energy should not be a privilege for the prepared it should be a right for all.
In the end, the story of Kariba is no longer just about water. It is about political will, institutional capacity, and the ability to plan beyond crisis. As Zimbabwe powers up and Zambia dims, the difference lies not in nature, but in how each nation chooses to light its path forward.
THE BRAVERY WITHIN—ORDINARY PEOPLE, EXTRAORDINARY ACTS OF COURAGE
David T. Zyambo | June 29, 2025
This morning, I found myself reflecting on the cyclical nature of history and how the past tends to repeat itself. It feels as though we’re on a spiral journey through time, where the events and societal patterns of yesteryear continually echo back to us. Today is not just a singular point in time—rather, it represents a steady continuum of past struggles and victories that resonate with the experiences of those who came before us. As we try to make sense of what’s happening in Zambia right now, it’s important to recognize that the issues we face are not isolated events; someone has been there before.
In the mid-19th century, the heavy burden of slavery weighed down the dreams and hopes of countless Black lives, creating an environment where hope was a rare commodity. It was a dangerous time, where simply standing up for oneself led to brutal repercussions—lynching, public whippings, and death. Yet, in the depths of this dark chapter, Frederick Douglass emerged as a beacon of hope and strength. He broke free from his chains, not just for himself, but for all Black men and women dreaming of freedom, igniting a flame of courage that would inspire generations. His bravery demonstrated that even in the face of unimaginable oppression, the human spirit can rise to challenge tyranny and demand justice.
Fast forward to the 20th century, where Jim Crow laws enforced brutal segregation, casting a long shadow over the lives of Black Americans and transforming their daily existence into a relentless struggle for dignity and justice. In the perilous years of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a leader, guiding peaceful protests against the injustices of white supremacy. His voice resonated with the hopes of a people yearning for equality, leaving behind a legacy of courage in the face of injustice.
In the late 1950s, colonialism was widespread, and speaking out against oppressive authorities was not just an act of defiance; it was a dangerous gamble that could lead to imprisonment or death. The introduction of the Public Order Act by the colonial government created an atmosphere of fear, stifling those who dared to confront colonialism. Amidst these turbulent times, Kenneth Kaunda emerged, gathering the courage to challenge the established order and fight for the rights of his fellow Zambians. His resolve inspired countless others who viewed colonialism as a stain upon their nation’s honor to join the struggle for freedom, igniting a collective spirit that refused to accept a future dictated by white minority rule.
Then came the 1960s, a defining moment in South Africa when apartheid tightened its grip and the struggle for justice encountered relentless brutality. Yet, it was precisely in this atmosphere of fear that Nelson Mandela rose to the occasion, embodying the spirit of courage that Black South Africans so desperately needed. He would go on to sacrifice 27 long years of his life in prison, fighting for the fundamental rights of his people.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, speaking out against Kenneth Kaunda’s one-party rule was exceedingly dangerous. Whispers of abductions and torture echoed throughout the country. In the midst of this oppressive atmosphere, a new generation of courageous Zambians, led by Frederick Chiluba, rose to the challenge, forming a movement that became the heart of the fight for multiparty democracy. These young men and women refused to let fear hold them back, igniting a flame of hope that ultimately paved the way for the democracy Zambia has enjoyed for the last three decades.
Each of these pivotal moments in history was fraught with danger, yet courageous individuals rose to stand up for what was right against seemingly insurmountable odds. These remarkable men were not superheroes—they were ordinary people who discovered extraordinary courage within themselves, paving the way for justice and freedom.
Today in Zambia, speaking out against the challenges we face has become increasingly dangerous. Many find themselves behind bars, some have been forced into exile, and others have lost jobs and businesses simply for voicing dissent. The introduction of the Cyber Crimes Act has created a climate of fear, silencing those who dare to confront the pressing issues of our time. This law has not only curtailed our freedom of speech but has also fostered a culture of impunity, where a few privileged individuals operate without accountability.
This is our pivotal moment in history, and it is far from an isolated event. Today, our hard-fought freedoms are slipping away; we are summoned to action by the urgent needs of our time. How will we respond? Will we summon the bravery within us, find the courage to stand up for what is right and ensure we are on the right side of history? Or will we allow fear to silence our voices, leaving future generations to look back and question our inaction in the face of adversity?
History remembers those who muster the courage to confront injustice, not those who cower in the face of oppression.
I didn’t post the video, I have nothing to say – Mwaka
VIEW once ambassador and biological lemon squeezer, Mwaka Halwiindi says those questioning her about her recent viral video should question the people that posted and not her.
This follows her recent 22 second trending video in which she is seen showcasing her ice cream eating skills and passionately caressing and peeling a man’s biological banana, while romancing and massaging it like a lollipop.
Like a teething hunger stricken baby clings to its mother’s breasts and almost swallows them off is how Mwaka is seen clinging to the two human eggs of the man, squeezing them like lemons about to be put into her tea.
And probably after realising that her rentals were due, the view once ambassador even had to shed a tear.
Suffice to say that she almost swallowed the biological properties of the man.
But when reached for a comment to ask if she could apologise to her followers and despite being the one in the video, Mwaka said she had nothing to say because she didn’t post it.
“I have nothing say, maybe you can ask the people that posted it. I’m not the best person to speak because I didn’t post that,” she told Kalemba.
After the video went viral on Friday, the content creator made her Instagram and TikTok accounts private which she has since made public again.
Impeccable sources told Kalemba that Mwaka has also reported a certain well spoken social media celeb with a great command of the Kings language to the police whom she thinks circulated the video for they did the act together.
He survived jail in the USA and Now Henry Shula Kasolo has been nabbed by DEC for fesh offences
IN 2021, a ZAMBIAN national, Henry Shula Kasolo, who was arrested in the United States, has pleaded guilty to a charge of importation of heroin into that country which attracts a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment or a fine of US$5 million.
This was according to a plea agreement entered between Kasolo and the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Raj Parekh pursuant to rule 11 of the Federal rules of criminal procedure…. He relocated to Zambia and was welcomed by family and friends.
Notorious Lusaka drug lord nabbed by DEC!
The Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested one of Zambia’s most wanted drug lords, Henry Shula Kasolo, aged 53 of Lusaka’s Leopards Hill area.
Shula, who had been on the Commission’s radar for an extended period, was apprehended on Thursday, 26 June 2025 in connection with trafficking 117 packs of high grade compressed cannabis. The total weight of the seized drugs is 73.9 kilogrammes concealed in four suitcases
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In a statement released by DEC Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba, it was revealed that officers also seized cash amounting to USD 10,200 and ZMW 6,000 suspected to be proceeds of crime. A Toyota Hilux believed to have been used in the commission of the offence was also impounded.
In an attempt to evade arrest, Shula allegedly offered a bribe of K60,000 to the officers in an effort to secure his own release and that of his accomplices two Thai nationals Phuwanat Hansongkram aged 25 and Den Wangngae aged 30. The pair was found in possession of Thai currency totaling 24,620 Baht, believed to be linked to illicit activity.
Also arrested in connection with the case was Humphrey Alick Chama, aged 60 a resident of Lusaka’s New Kasama area.
DEC further disclosed that Shula is wanted for another major case involving 204.7 kilogrammes of compressed cannabis seized at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in 2024. The drugs had been disguised as catalytic powder and were destined for Europe.
The Commission also confirmed that Shula was previously convicted of similar offences in the United States and was subsequently deported to Zambia.
CHIEF MPUMBA, CHIEF CHIUNDAPONDE PRAISE PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
Chingola Central Member of Parliament and Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, says President Hakainde Hichilema does not want a relationship with traditional leaders that is based solely on political convenience.
Mr. Mulenga said this when he paid courtesy calls on Chief Mpumba and Chief Chiundaponde of Lavushimanda District in Mfuwe Constituency.
The visit was part of a broader mission to engage traditional leaders, interact with community members, and implement strategic development programs in the area.
During the meeting, Chief Mpumba commended President Hichilema for introducing free education up to Grade 12, the Cash for Work Program, Social Cash Transfer, and other life-changing initiatives.
He said before free education was introduced by the UPND government, many parents could not afford to send their children to school due to high tuition fees.
Chief Mpumba described free education as a return to the values of the late President Kenneth Kaunda, adding that the policy has made it easier for parents to educate their children.
He emphasized that in the past, children often dropped out of school midway due to lack of school fees, but the UPND government has changed that narrative.
Chief Mpumba pledged to work hand in hand with the government to ensure his people receive development and enjoy the benefits being distributed across the country.
Later, when Mr. Mulenga visited Chief Chiundaponde, he said President Hichilema had sent him to engage with the chiefs and communities of Mfuwe Constituency.
He explained that President Hichilema wants a consistent and genuine partnership with traditional leaders, not just when political tides shift.
Mr. Mulenga conveyed President Hichilema’s appreciation to the people of Chiundaponde Chiefdom for the overwhelming support they gave him in the August 2021 general elections.
He further highlighted the ongoing benefits of free education, Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Social Cash Transfer, Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), and other programs introduced by the UPND government.
In response, Chief Chiundaponde appealed to President Hichilema to maintain inclusiveness and not practice tribalism, which was common in the past administration.
He applauded the government’s current policies, particularly free education, and urged for continued fairness in development distribution.
Chief Chiundaponde said there was no reason for people to continue supporting the former ruling party PF, as development can now only come through the UPND government.
He expressed full support for President Hichilema, stating that he is the only leader capable of delivering meaningful development at this time.
Mr. Chipoka Mulenga will conclud his visit by reiterating the government’s commitment to bringing services closer to the people and enhancing collaboration with traditional authorities.
“We’re not married”: Mbalula tells DA to walk if unhappy
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says the DA must understand that “the ANC is not in a marriage with the DA this is a coalition.”
He emphasized that the Government of National Unity (GNU) is a temporary, multi-party arrangement, not an exclusive or permanent partnership between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Mbalula challenged the DA’s apparent assumption of a bilateral coalition, stating, “The DA thought it would just be an ANC-DA coalition without including other parties.” He stressed that the GNU includes over ten political parties.
Reiterating the ANC’s position, he added, “If you feel this GNU is not working for you, then you have the choice to walk away,” underscoring the coalition’s flexibility and the ANC’s willingness to continue with other parties if the DA chooses to leave, as “there are others knocking at the door, ready to come in.”
…as it rejects Lumezi by-election result won by UPND, describes the outcome as the greatest scam ever, shocked that the ECZ went on to distribute reprinted ballots without the inspection of participating political parties
THE Tonse Alliance has announced its intention to mount a legal challenge against the outcome of the Lumezi by-election, alleging widespread irregularities and what it has termed as the greatest scam in the country’s electoral history.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Tonse Alliance national youth chairperson and Lusaka-based lawyer Celestine Mambula Mukandila has accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of breaching transparency by printing and distributing ballot papers without consulting key stakeholders.
Mr Mukandila has charged that the UPND manipulated the outcome of the Lumezi by-election, especially that the ECZ went on to print new ballots in 24 hours and distributed the ballots without allowing participating political parties inspecting the process.
“That in itself compromised the integrity of the election, and that is the reason we are taking this matter to court,” Mr Mukandila said, adding that the alliance was determined to see the results nullified through legal means.
Mr Mukandila expressed strong confidence in the case, declaring; “Are we going to succeed? We have 100 percent confidence that we will succeed. The people of Lumezi should expect another by-election.”
He emphasized that the Tonse Alliance remained committed to the fight for credible and transparent elections ahead of the 2026 general polls.
“I will not sleep until we have a credible Electoral Commission of Zambia,” he stated.
The controversy around the Lumezi by-election stems from allegations of electoral fraud, including the omission of the UPND candidate’s full name on initial ballot papers.
Following complaints, the ECZ reprinted and redistributed the ballots within 24 hours—a move that drew sharp criticism from opposition parties who questioned the transparency and speed of the process.
The Tonse Alliance had called for the cancellation of the Lumezi by-election after it was discovered that the UPND candidate had his surname missing, prompting the ECZ to print new ballots withing 24 hours after the discovery of the error.
In the final results, UPND candidate Lufeyo Ngoma secured 11,521 votes, defeating Goodson Banda of the New Congress, who represented the Tonse Alliance and polled 6,821 votes.
But Mr Mukandila is insisting that only a court ruling can restore public confidence in the electoral process, vowing that the alliance will not rest until electoral credibility is upheld. [ Daily Nation Zambia ]
Today I woke up to calls and messages warning me that the UPND Media team, its online rogue media and its 23 Spokespersons will “finish” and “destroy” me.
I laughed.
My crime?
Well it’s many things but it appears that the last straw that broke the Camel’s back was my small article referencing John Sangwa’s comments stating that he doesn’t remember UPND Media Director, Mr. Zicron Mark Simuuwe as his law student.
Now let’s discuss the act or promised battle of finishing of me.
When I joined the Office of the Second President in 2002 (I don’t know where all these fellas were at the time) and before long, Dr. Frederick Chiluba made me his Spokesperson, fire and brimstone began to rain on me.
First the attacks were soft and mere soft showers.
This is 2002. There was an emerging mobilized public and private media supporting the new President, Levy Mwanawasa in his “fight against corruption” and the villain was a highly vilified former President, Frederick Chiluba with his former team cast as “tandem” of thieves, on the other side.
I quickly noted that all ethical and professional reporting standards were totally abandoned as both the public media led by an excited ZNBC and the private media led by The Post newspaper, relentlessly and savagely attacked Chiluba’s legacy, personality, character, morality and “exposed” his “matrix of “theft and plunder”.
I was frustrated.
Chiluba refused to respond or stage a media fight back.
It took a longtime for me to convince Dr. Chiluba, who lived by the virtue “Silence is Golden”, to persuade him to respond to the lies or entice him to tell his side of the story, especially with the credible facts, documents and paper trail available before him.
For example, when the “scandal” broke out of how $42million was “plundered” from the ZAMTROP Account, a controversial London-based account run by the Intelligence (Zambia Security Intelliegnce Service(ZSIS), where some individual snd non-government payments were made including payments to Chiluba’s Swiss tailor, a key factor was deliberately omitted.
The Intelligence had advised Chiluba to route international donations for the party and himself through the ZAMTROP account.
The ethical or sound nature of this advise is a matter of discussion for another day.
Audits later conducted by both Grant Thornton and PriceWaterHouse revealed that Chiluba had over $8.5million private donations emanating from Libya, Sudan, Angola and other sources made over the years.
Over $25million from the account was paid to a USA Security company to install and upgrade security features at State House, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Defence, ZSIS, and the International Airport.
But the media had portrayed that Chiluba stole the entire $42million and were determined to stand by this clay foundation.
The Government and prosecutors hid this critical information about the $8.5million and sought that only their story of his alleged plunder stood.
Relentless Personal Attacks
When Dr. Chiluba finally came round and made me his Official Spokesperson in 2003, much damage was done to his public image and the State and his political opponents had literally won the propaganda war. He was deemed a thief, a plunderer who had stolen public resoruces.
He was at his weakest. He was now a former President. He was isolated and many friends and well wishers had deserted him quickly and shamelessly aligning themselves with the new President.
His assets were seized, his bank accounts were frozen, his friends were extremely few, his many Pentecostal friends and pastors had fled and his financial well-wishers for ten years, had disappeared.
I had to claw back some damage with little or no resources required to wage a media war of this size.
With UK’s DFID funding the “fight against corruption” (£40million was spent between 2003-2008) I had to contend with an international media, keen to demonstrate, demonize and justify the arrest and prosecution of the former President.
Government, with cooperating partners, appointed Serious Frauds Office of London and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigate and trace Chiluba’s proceeds of crime and stolen wealth.
When their detailed investigations drew a blank, Government was embarrassed to disclose the facts.
I came as a quiet, still but persistent voice, facing this local and international media infrastructure, beginning to peel off every lie, lift off every lid of facts and introducing and telling Chiluba’s side of the story.
It was an uphill battle.
I refused to tell lies or embellish his story.
The facts were solid and I knew the Truth had a habit of defending itself.
At first it was my family that was alarmed when they learnt that I was now working with the Second President.
“You are fighting government, they will destroy you. Besides you were NOT in his Government and therefore you “did not” eat with them. Leave this war to them”.
Levy Mwanawasa’s State House and Cabinet officials first chose to privately speak to me.
“We can appoint you as a District Commissioner.”
The position I held was that of a Deputy Permanent Secretary, so I didn’t even bother to consider or update their ignorance.
When I didn’t get back with an answer, they must have realized their folly and came back with a higher offer.
“You are young. You have a young family. This Chiluba war is NOT necessary for you. It’s not YOUR war. The President has offered you a position of Permanent Secretary or Ambassador in foreign Service.”
I respectfully declined and stated that the former President had trusted me with the responsibility of being his official Spokesperson and stated that I couldn’t betray this honour.
Then the dirty war began.
The worst about me was written and portrayed.
Some of the worst online and newspaper pictures, stories cast in an unfavorable posture on were taken and published during this period.
All sorts of falsehoods and lies were relentlessly written about me.
Further more serious harm was done against me.
I was poisoned three times in one case severely.
I was constantly threatened and my family. I was one of the most surveilled persons as I was deemed as Chiluba’s eyes, ears and legs.
We once caught a group of four men with guns in a Toyota Corolla following me.
When we surrendered them to the Police at Woodlands, they were beaten and quickly confessed they were intelligence officers. It had to take their Director to persuade Dr. Chiluba to have them released and the case dropped.
I was isolated and constantly vilified too. I had few friends as people choose the soft and lucrative side of the State.
Many people fear to be seen with persons vilified by the State.
Sometimes the toll on the family is greater and may not be seen.
In a play at Church I was horrified to find that my son was given a role of Judas Iscariot in the Easter play despite enrolling far earlier and choosing to be one of the good disciples.
Another day I picked my son from school and I found him crying. He was in lower grade.
A son to a Cabinet Minister who was his friend had said to him;
“My father said I shouldn’t play with you because your father works for a thief”
I was broken. All I was, was a Spokesperson for the former President and a mere dedicated government worker.
When my work began to show and their lies challenged, in a Cabinet meeting, President Mwanawasa personally fired me. He instructed the Attorney General (George Kunda who was also Justice Minister) and Permanent Secretary at Cabinet Office to dismiss me.
“We can’t have a government worker insulting the President”.
I sued Cabinet office and Government.
Upon hearing this Mwanawasa personally instructed the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, George Kunda to defend the case.
I won in High Court.
George Kunda appealed to the Supreme Court.
I also won in the Supreme Court.
But no one could touch my file or reinstate me despite the two judgments, in the High Court and Supreme Court.
For five years I remained unpaid despite the orders of the court.
It took the death of President Mwanawasa for Cabinet Office to finally reinstate me and pay my past dues!
So when I hear that certain people want to finish me, I laugh.
In 2014, at the height of the fight between Guy Scott and Edgar Lungu and the negotiations to bring the two belligerent parties together, Guy Scott’s demands was in two fold. •Appoint Miles Sampa as Vice President and •fire Emmanuel Mwamba.
The question was fire me from what?
President Micheal Sata had already fired me a few months before.
So at the press conference called the following day to present the two belligerent parties together to be held at Government House, Scott was shocked to find me organising the press conference and liaising with Oscar Chavula from HotFM for the live broadcast.
Scott immediatetly confronted me without minding the cameras flashing and rolling.
“What are you doing here? I specifically asked that you should be fired and be removed from the campaign” Scott shouted.
I mumbled an answer but Scott couldn’t wait.
“You are very dangerous. You are more dangerous than Fred Mmembe” He was furious.
“For Fred Mmembe has an infrastructure (The Post) but you have none but yet you are more dangerous!”
“Come Upstairs,” he ordered.
Scott was Acting President at the time.
I sheepishly followed him upstairs where we found the Director General (ZSIS) ready to give the Acting President the daily briefing.
Charlotte Scott didn’t make things better for me as soon as we arrived upstairs she showed her husband my new posting on my FACEBOOK page announcing to my audience a peace deal to be signed shortly.
This infuriated Scott afresh!
“ Are you the Secretary General of the Patriotic Front? Are you the Spokesperson of the Party?. Who has given you this information? Who has authorized to release to the public?”
“Anyway go back and regard today as a new page”
That’s how Im not in the famous reconciliation pictures of 2014.
So for those seeking to destroy me. You are welcome. I’ve endured the insults, the trolling, the lies, the attacks, the accusations, and the shaming.
I’ve been through the fire, and emerged, not as charcoal but as diamond.
I just focus on what I do best. Do my job and focus on pursuing the Truth.
As a nation, let us pause and pray for healing and reconciliation. The Lungu family deserves the space to grieve, to find closure, and to begin their journey toward healing.
Let us allow them to lay to rest their beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and nephew; surrounded by love, dignity, and the comforting presence of family.
https://youtu.be/tEhcor0oFRM?si=m8Jcq1tmTHmrm9cL
Let each of us put ourselves in their shoes. No one feels the weight of this loss more deeply than they do in this moment. President Lungu belonged to them more before he belonged to Zambia.
This is not about politics. It is about our shared humanity. The late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu deserves to be laid to rest in peace and honour.
May compassion guide our words, our actions, and our hearts.
UPND ACCUSES PF POLITICIANS OF EXPLOITING LUNGU’S DEATH FOR POLITICAL GAIN
Lusaka – June 29, 2025
United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe has strongly condemned opposition politicians whom he accuses of using the death of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to score cheap political points ahead of the 2026 general elections.
In a sharply worded interview with South Africa’s Newzroom Afrika, Mr. Simuuwe accused a faction within the Patriotic Front (PF), led by Secretary General Raphael Nakacinda, of hypocrisy and attempting to profit from national grief.
He said the ongoing controversy over the burial of the late president is not rooted in legal merit or national interest, but rather in political opportunism.
Mr. Nakacinda recently stirred national debate on South Africa’s Newzroom Afrika when he suggested that President Hakainde Hichilema should not grant former President Lungu a State funeral, arguing that he never recognized Lungu’s presidency and doing so now would be hypocritical.
https://youtu.be/tEhcor0oFRM?si=m8Jcq1tmTHmrm9cL
However, Mr. Simuuwe dismissed Nakacinda’s remarks as “an insult to the dignity of the nation” and pointed out that State funerals are not subject to partisan approval.
He emphasized that Zambia has established legal frameworks such as the Presidential Burial Site Act and prior case law, that dictate that former presidents be buried at the designated Presidential Embassy Park in Lusaka.
Citing the landmark Kaweche Kaunda vs. Attorney General case, Mr. Simuuwe argued that a former president is not a private citizen, but a state figure whose burial is a matter of public interest.
“Kenneth Kaunda, Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda, and Michael Sata were all buried at Embassy Park. The hypocrisy by the PF is astounding,” he said.
He warned that the PF’s rhetoric about exhuming President Lungu’s body after the next election if buried in Zambia is both inflammatory and disrespectful.
“This isn’t a campaign rally, it’s a national mourning period. Death should unify, not divide.”
Mr. Simuuwe revealed that the government has sought legal redress to ensure Lungu’s burial takes place in accordance with national law, asserting that there is no criminal case against the former first family.
He also clarified that diplomatic efforts have been made, including direct engagement with the South African government, where Lungu passed away, to facilitate a dignified repatriation and burial.
Referencing the controversial 2016 elections, Mr. Simuuwe charged that they were rigged and that the Constitutional Court denied UPND the right to be heard due to procedural technicalities and recounted how then-President Lungu responded to the UPND’s challenge by imprisoning opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema for 127 days in a maximum-security facility.
“Despite all these injustices, President Hichilema has risen above vengeance and called for calm, unity, and national healing following Lungu’s death,” Mr. Simuuwe stated.
Mr. Simuuwe expressed confidence that the UPND has no credible challenger in the coming 2026 general election. He attributed this to tangible improvements under President Hichilema’s leadership: reversing economic decline, boosting GDP from -2.7 per cent to 4 per cent, clearing salary arrears for municipal workers, recruiting over 45,000 teachers and 18,000 healthcare workers, and reintroducing meal allowances for students in public universities.
He further noted the government’s commitment to free education from Grade 1 to 12 and ongoing efforts to expand this to higher education.
The Media Director also said of the seven parliamentary by-elections the country has had after assuming office, six have been won by the ruling party.
Mr. Simuuwe emphasized that the PF’s politicization of Lungu’s death will not distract Zambians from the developmental gains made under UPND.
He stressed that denying Zambians the opportunity to bid farewell to their former president on home soil would be a “serious assault” on national sovereignty.
“This moment should transcend politics. It is about the soul of a nation, the dignity of its people, and respect for the office of the presidency, regardless of political differences. The government remains open to dialogue, but law and precedent must prevail over personal interest,” he said.
Zambia’s Foreign Reserves Hit Highest Point in a Decade!📈
In 2014, Zambia’s foreign exchange reserves peaked at just over $3.1 billion. Since then, we’ve seen ups and downs — from $2.7B in 2016 to about $3.0B in 2020.
But here’s the game changer:
1. In October 2024, our reserves hit a historic high of $4.17 billion! 2. As of May 2025, the reserves have hit the all high $4.5 billion representing 6 months import cover.
That’s real progress.
Why does this matter? Because strong reserves:
✅ Protect the Kwacha ✅ Support debt repayments ✅ Stabilize the economy ✅ Boost investor confidence
Let’s give credit where it’s due:
prudent fiscal policy, debt restructuring, and IMF-backed reforms are helping Zambia regain its financial footing.
Well done President Hakainde Hichilema and your Financial and Economics Team
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TO COMMISSION ZAMBIA’S LARGEST SOLAR POWER PLANT IN CHISAMBA
June 29,2025
President Hakainde Hichilema is scheduled to officially commission the $100 million Chisamba Solar Power Plant tomorrow, marking a historic moment in Zambia’s journey toward energy sustainability.
The 100-megawatt solar facility, confirmed by ZESCO spokesperson Matongo Maumbi, stands as the nation’s largest and most ambitious solar project to date.
Mr. Maumbi stated that the plant is a landmark in Zambia’s broader energy diversification agenda, serving as a blueprint for future solar initiatives.
He emphasized that the plant contributes significantly to President Hichilema’s ambitious goal of generating 1,000 megawatts from solar sources by the end of 2025.
Speaking to ZNBC in Chisamba, Mr. Maumbi announced that Phase 2 of the project is poised to begin soon, reinforcing the country’s commitment to clean energy.
He noted that ZESCO is collaborating with the private sector to roll out similar solar projects across Zambia in pursuit of the 1,000-megawatt target.
Chisamba Solar Power Plant Manager Chiz Nyirenda disclosed that the construction phase created employment for about 1,300 workers, with 98 percent sourced from nearby communities.
Mr. Nyirenda added that technical commissioning of the plant was completed in May, and it has since begun transmitting electricity into ZESCO’s national grid.
He further revealed that the now operational plant will maintain a workforce of 100, employing 40 people directly and 60 indirectly.
The launch of the Chisamba Solar Power Plant underscores President Hichilema’s vision for a greener, energy-secure Zambia and his resolve to uplift local communities through strategic infrastructure investments.
SOCIALIST PARTY’S STRATEGIC VISION CENTRED ON PEOPLE’S HAPPINESS, SAYS M’MEMBE
Lusaka… Sunday June 29, 2025 – Socialist Party (SP) President Dr. Fred M’membe has outlined the party’s strategic objectives, emphasising that although their goals are significant, they are rooted in simplicity and a deep concern for the well-being of the Zambian people.
In a statement, Dr. M’membe stated that the core of the Socialist Party’s mission was the pursuit of happiness for the Zambian people, a happiness he said stemmed from living dignified lives.
He explained that this vision did not require exaggerated promises or dramatic rhetoric, but rather practical and realistic efforts aimed at improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
He said that dignity and happiness would come from ensuring access to quality, free, and socialised education for children, promoting the success of young people through proper training and employment, and ensuring that elderly citizens received humane care.
Dr. M’membe highlighted that this vision extended to strengthening family structures, which he described as foundational to society.
However, he asserted that these were not solely family concerns, but also matters of community, governance, and national interest.
He called on all sectors of society – including traditional, religious, labour, business, and professional leaders – to take active roles in achieving these goals.
According to Dr. M’membe, the realisation of these objectives would not occur automatically.
He stressed that they would not “drop from the skies like manna” and would require determined effort and sacrifice.
He urged the Zambian people to take responsibility for building the future they desired, affirming that it was the duty of those living in Zambia to work hard toward realising these strategic goals.
I didn’t post the video, I have nothing to say – Mwaka
VIEW once ambassador and biological lemon squeezer, Mwaka Halwiindi says those questioning her about her recent viral video should question the people that posted and not her.
This follows her recent 22 second trending video in which she is seen showcasing her ice cream eating skills and passionately caressing and peeling a man’s biological banana, while romancing and massaging it like a lollipop.
Like a teething hunger stricken baby clings to its mother’s breasts and almost swallows them off is how Mwaka is seen clinging to the two human eggs of the man, squeezing them like lemons about to be put into her tea.
And probably after realising that her rentals were due, the view once ambassador even had to shed a tear.
Suffice to say that she almost swallowed the biological properties of the man.
But when reached for a comment to ask if she could apologise to her followers and despite being the one in the video, Mwaka said she had nothing to say because she didn’t post it.
“I have nothing say, maybe you can ask the people that posted it. I’m not the best person to speak because I didn’t post that,” she told Kalemba.
After the video went viral on Friday, the content creator made her Instagram and TikTok accounts private which she has since made public again.
Impeccable sources told Kalemba that Mwaka has also reported a certain well spoken social media celeb with a great command of the Kings language to the police whom she thinks circulated the video for they did the act together…https://kalemba.news/local/i-didnt-post-the-video-i-have-nothing-to-say-mwaka/
Mozambique Grants Zambia Land for Dry Port in Nacala
Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali says a dry port has been bequeathed to Zambia by the Government of Mozambique.
The development was revealed by Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Joao Matlombe, on the sidelines of the Global Transport Connectivity Forum 2025 at the Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkey.
Mr. Tayali says the land has been acquired not only to strengthen bilateral relations but also to ease the means of doing business.
He assured that Zambia has already established a vibrant company, ZAMCARGO, which will administer the operations of the dry port in Mozambique, as it currently does in Namibia and Tanzania.
Mr. Tayali also disclosed that the government is engaging development partners such as the World Bank to help finance the feasibility study for the Chipata to Serenje Railway Project.
He explained that the railway project will eventually connect to the Chipata–Mchinji Railway Line in Malawi, linking to Nacala along Africa’s eastern seaboard, which is known for its operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, Mr. Matlombe directed his technical team to work closely with their Zambian counterparts to ensure the formalization of the project is treated with urgency.
Mr. Matlombe said Mozambique is ready to allocate land in Nacala to Zambia, and that it will be titled to avoid any form of encumbrances. #dryport (image used for illustration )
Meet SA dumbest Criminal who stole Millions of Rands from FNB with his friends and nabbed after a social media post.
The broke into the bank through an underground tunnel which took them 6 months to dig. It was a clean job. Three days after the robbery, he posted pictures of money on social media showing of huge sums of cash.
He was immediately arrested together with his friends, a huge sum of money was recovered.
The African National Congress (ANC) has hit back at the Democratic Alliance (DA), accusing it of undermining the Government of National Unity (GNU) and pursuing a narrow partisan agenda.
In a strongly worded statement, the ANC criticised the DA’s refusal to support the recently announced National Dialogue, suggesting the party is more focused on political expediency than national renewal.
The ANC urged the DA to clarify whether it remains a genuine partner in the GNU or is positioning itself as a disruptive force within the executive.
Decomposed body found on roof of Hazyview Police Station
A shocking discovery was made on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, when the decomposing body of an unidentified man was found on the roof of the Hazyview police station in Mpumalanga.
The grim find followed weeks of complaints from police officers and residents about a foul smell emanating from the station.
Initially, the stench was attributed to a dead animal, but a thorough search revealed a far more disturbing truth. On Wednesday evening, after removing roof tiles, authorities uncovered the body.
Due to poor lighting, the body was only removed the following day, Thursday, June 26.
Preliminary investigations suggest the man may have died from electrocution, with tools found near the body hinting at possible cable theft.
The identity of the deceased remains unknown, and police have opened an inquest case to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is also investigating, given the incident occurred on police premises.Authorities are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the man.
The discovery has raised questions about security at the facility and left the community in shock.
DAVID MWALE MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST ZAMBIAN MALE WBC INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION
BOXER David Mwale has been crowned World Boxing Council International Bantamweight Champion.
Mwale defeated Ghanaian Michael Decardi-Nelson by unanimous decision to become Bantamweight Champion, making history as the first Zambian male boxer to win the title.
Results and scores from the judges showed Mwale outclassed his opponent in the 12-round bout.
After 12 rounds, the first judge scored the fight 119–108 in favour of Mwale, while the second and third judges awarded him a 118–108 score, confirming his victory by unanimous decision.
Speaking to ZNBC Sports News after his triumph, Mwale described the victory as a dream come true.
He said it had always been his desire since childhood to become a world champion.
Following his loss, Nelson claimed he was robbed and petitioned the judges’ decision.
The Ghanaian has since requested a rematch to contend for the title.
Iran’s Parliament has banned the use of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, criminalizing its possession and operation.
The move comes after Musk activated Starlink in Iran on June 14 to counter government-imposed internet restrictions during heightened tensions with Israel.
Despite the ban, an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 Starlink terminals are active in the country via black market channels, providing uncensored internet access.
Authorities have appealed to the International Telecommunication Union to deactivate these devices, citing national security concerns.
The ban underscores Iran’s ongoing efforts to control information flow amid domestic and regional challenges.
The exploitative DR Congo 🇨🇩 mineral resources deal with the USA 🇺🇸
A document received by the Department of Justice under FARA registration outlines an ambitious proposal for a U.S.-Democratic Republic of Congo strategic partnership focused on critical mineral access and military cooperation
Key Proposals Include:
🔹 Granting U.S. companies extraction rights to DRC’s strategic minerals 🔹 U.S. operational control of Banana Deep-Water Port for mineral exports 🔹 Joint strategic mineral stockpile development 🔹 Military cooperation to protect supply routes from foreign-backed groups 🔹 Replacing UN peacekeeping with direct U.S.-DRC security operations
The proposal, signed by Dr. Aaron Poynton of the Africa-USA Business Council on behalf of DRC Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi, calls for immediate high-level meetings with President Trump and congressional backing.
The document emphasises securing America’s access to “the world’s richest mineral deposits” and building supply chains aligned with U.S. national security objectives, while countering foreign influence in Africa.
This comes as global competition intensifies over critical minerals essential for defense and technology sectors.
Trump Slams Israeli Prosecutors Over Netanyahu Trial, Cites Interference with Iran and Hamas Talks
On Saturday, June 28, U.S. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to vehemently criticize Israeli prosecutors over the ongoing corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump argued that the legal proceedings are undermining critical negotiations involving Iran and Hamas, asserting that the United States, a major financial supporter of Israel, will not tolerate such interference. “We’ve given Israel billions of dollars, and we’re not going to stand for this,” Trump declared, calling the trial a “political witch hunt” that risks derailing diplomatic efforts.
In his posts, Trump described Netanyahu as a “war hero” and claimed the judicial process is hampering the Israeli leader’s ability to secure deals with both Hamas and Iran, key players in the volatile Middle East region.
The remarks follow a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran, announced on June 24, 2025, which Trump has hailed as a historic achievement ending the “12-day war.”
Trump’s outspoken defense of Netanyahu has ignited controversy, with critics warning that his comments could be seen as meddling in Israel’s judicial system. Supporters, however, argue that Trump is protecting a vital ally and prioritizing regional stability.
As diplomatic efforts continue, Trump’s remarks underscore the delicate balance between supporting Israel and navigating complex Middle East negotiations.
“Hands Off a Mourning Widow!” — NGOCC Blasts Govt for Dragging Esther Lungu to Court
The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned the government’s decision to haul former First Lady Esther Lungu to court over the burial dispute of her late husband, President Edgar Lungu, calling it “inhumane” and “ill-timed.”
In a statement issued June 27, NGOCC Chairperson Beauty Katebe said it was unjust to subject a grieving widow to legal stress, describing the move as a betrayal of empathy, compassion, and the nation’s cultural values.
“We recognise the government’s duty to act in national interest. But taking a widow to court days after her husband’s death is both cruel and insensitive,” Katebe said.
NGOCC called on authorities and the Lungu family to resolve the issue outside courtrooms, warning that litigation in such emotionally charged circumstances undermines the spirit of ubuntu and unity Zambia prides itself on.
“This is not the time for legal battles, but for healing. Dialogue, not drama, is what the country needs,” said Katebe.
The organisation urged the government to immediately withdraw the court case and instead pursue mediation to honour the pain of the bereaved and safeguard Zambia’s moral and cultural fabric.
The burial dispute has stirred national debate, with rising public discomfort over how the matter is being handled. NGOCC’s intervention adds pressure on government officials to reconsider their approach.
“This sets a dangerous precedent. We cannot normalize courtroom confrontations during mourning,” NGOCC cautioned.
There is a very strong attempt to try and advance a narrative of superstition surrounding the death of Edgar Lungu, his funeral and burial. It is being suggested that there is someone who wants to pluck nails, hairs and other body parts of Edgar in order to use them as charms to avoid dying sooner and, to attract whatever influence the late President has been enjoying politically , specifically for the 2026 general elections. These are narratives that have become loud within the opposition corridors with accusations pointing to those in power today. To a very large extent, the impasse surrounding the burial of Edgar is caused by this superstition narrative.
But beyond all this, let us interrogate some of the things here.
We’re told that Edgar Lungu left notice before death, that certain individuals must not be anywhere near him or his funeral. If this is anything to go by, at what point did Edgar issue these instructions? Was it in his general Will or these were instructions on his death bed? If the last suggestion is anything to go by, then, we ask, did Edgar know that he would die specifically during that surgery?
We’re told Edgar was admitted at hospital for a surgery, and eventually died following that procedure. But a few weeks before this surgery, the opposition Tonse Alliance refuted claims that Edgar was ill in South Africa, and that he was undergoing treatment. To this effect, the Tonse Alliance Council of President member Sean Tembo even instituted a suit against Thabo Kawana, the Permanent Secretary, for publicly announcing Edgar’s illness. Why did the PF lie about Edgar’s illness? After Edgar passed, we’re being told that he suffered, struggled in SA to foot bills and a number of people including former South African President Jacob Zuma, the current President Cyril Ramamphosa and others came through for our departed president. When all this was happening, why did the PF and other opposition insist that Edgar was well and was out in SA for other things?
There’s a lot of dishonest in the opposition over Edgar. Look at the audio in which the Socialist Party officials were discussing how Edgar would return in Zambia as a luggage, in a coffin. They nicknamed Edgar ba Joburge. They started celebrating Edgar’s death even many weeks before he eventually died, and yet, the very people who now talk loud and big over Edgar’s death have been in the company of the very people who spoke about the former president’s death many more weeks before it happened. The PF, it’s leadership have never taken stock of that audio we all heard. PF Acting President Given Lubinda and Raphael Nakacinda are today busy in the company of the very party officials who spoke ill of Edgar, who spoke of his death even before he died. Is that being honest?
Clearly, there are a lot of snakes, jackals, crooks, hyenas who surrounded Edgar even before he died, and wished him death. These crooks have continued to betray Edgar even in death.
Understandably , the government of Hakainde Hichilema did not treat Edgar right. They started mistreating him right at Heroes stadium where he went to hand over power. Even before Edgar made a political come back, Hakainde and his administration had already started harassing him, mistreating him. That is not how to treat a former president. Hakainde was cruel to Edgar. Yes, Hakainde went through tough times in opposition at the hands of the Edgar led PF but we believe he was ushered into power not to repeat the same mistakes but to improve. That improvement has never been.
When we compound all these issues into one, it is very clear that Edgar was largely betrayed within the opposition itself. The opposition must take stock of their own cruelty towards Edgar. Before they can begin to remove perks in other people’s eyes, let them deal with their own first. We believe a very good number of the opposition, especially inside PF never cared for Edgar to the extent that they want to have us believe publicly. These cruel elements , these hyenas were never for Edgar’s well being. There are a few – perhaps 4 or 5 people we know of who genuinely cared for Edgar than the whole bunch of characters, hyenas who are today crying loudest merely because they want political capital from the dead body of Edgar.
The Candidates officially sends condolences to the family of Edgar Lungu, Tasila Lungu whom we know on a personal level and all genuine opposition members who mourn ECL without political undertones.
THE POISONED CHALICE: Why the Government Must Withdraw Bill No. 7 of 2025
By Mehluli Malisa Batakathi
Introduction:
This commentary analyses the Constitutional Court’s majority decision in Munir Zulu and Celestine Mukandila v. Attorney General 2025/CCZ/009, which declared the procedure leading up to the drafting and gazetting of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 unconstitutional. The article evaluates the legal and normative implications of the judgment, critiques the dissenting judgment for its reliance on narrow textualism, and argues that the Bill undermines participatory constitutionalism and the philosophical foundations of constituent power. It concludes with a strong recommendation that the government withdraw the Bill instead of deferring it, in order to return to constitutional legitimacy and democratic accountability.
1. Background: A Constitution Betrayed
The Constitution is not merely a legal instrument, it is a political covenant between the governed and their governors. As such, it demands more than technical compliance; it requires fidelity to the democratic values that sustain constitutionalism. The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 lamentably fails this test.
The Constitutional Court’s majority judgment in Munir Zulu and Celestine Mukandila v. Attorney General rightly found that the Bill’s formulation violated the principles of popular sovereignty, participatory democracy, and the dictates of constituent power in a constitutional republic.
This commentary defends that conclusion and contends that the government has no legal or moral basis to pursue the Bill’s resurrection at a future date. To do so would be to endorse a dangerous precedent that could fracture the foundations of constitutional government in Zambia.
2. Constitutionalism, Constituent Power, and the Role of the People
2.1 The Normative Foundation of Constitutionalism
Constitutionalism embodies a commitment to limited government, the rule of law, accountability, and popular participation. It distinguishes between legal authority and legitimate power, recognizing that a process may be procedurally valid yet constitutionally illegitimate if it contravenes these foundational values.
As Karl Klare’s theory of transformative constitutionalism posits, the Constitution must be interpreted not only as a legal text but as a living instrument aimed at societal renewal, equality, and democratic participation. This requires courts to go beyond proceduralism and embrace substantive constitutionalism, which protects the spirit of the Constitution against executive and legislative overreach.
2.2 Constituent vs. Constituted Power
Central to the judgment in the Munir Zulu case, is the reaffirmation of the distinction between constituent power, which is the original, sovereign power of the people to make or remake a constitutional order, and constituted power, which is exercised by state organs under the authority of an existing Constitution.
Constituent power is inalienable and indivisible. It cannot be exercised by proxy. It is the author’s view that the Bill’s attempt to overhaul the constitutional framework without broad-based national consultation or public involvement represents an unlawful attempt by Parliament, a constituted authority, to usurp a function reserved exclusively to the people.
2.3 The Case Against Bill No. 7 of 2025
a. Absence of Meaningful Public Participation
The Constitutional Court majority underscored this fundamental flaw in the Bill’s formulation, the lack of meaningful public participation. The Court held:
“In our considered view, the formalised wide consultations that normally take place before a Constitution amendment process in this country acknowledge the inherent nature of the people’s constituent power. The power as actualised in the provisions we have identified is not legislated by Parliament because it is an inherent power. Thus, wide public consultations are the norm, routinely facilitated by the Executive as part of a true national custom. The public expect nothing less, and departure therefrom would create uncertainty and confusion as well as weaken the constitutional mechanisms designed to protect the Constitution.”
This position reflects a broader consensus in comparative constitutional jurisprudence. In the case of Doctors for Life International v. Speaker of the National Assembly (CCT 12/05), the South African Constitutional Court emphasized that public participation in the legislative process is not discretionary, but constitutionally mandated.
Similarly, in David Ndii & Others v. Attorney General [2021] eKLR, the Kenyan High Court held:
“The power to amend the Constitution fundamentally resides in the people, and not in the institutions created by it. Where the amendment touches on the basic structure, constituent power must be exercised.”
The majority in Munir Zulu embraced this reasoning by recognizing that Article 79 of the Zambian Constitution, while outlining procedural requirements, does not and cannot displace the foundational role of the people in reshaping the constitutional order.
b. Procedural Compliance vs. Substantive Legitimacy
While the government and the dissenting justices relied on the formal observance of Article 79, particularly gazzetting and parliamentary debate, the majority made it clear that procedural compliance does not cure substantive illegitimacy.
The dissenting judgment, rooted in strict textualism, ignored the spirit and architecture of the Constitution, which centers the people as the sovereign authority.
Conversely, the majority decision ring fenced the long held principle that constitutionalism is a broader concept than constitutional legality. A Constitution can be amended legally but still unconstitutionally if it violates foundational principles such as popular sovereignty and participatory democracy.
This formulation is not merely judicial rhetoric, it is an articulation of the living nature of constitutional law, and its imperative to constrain power even when exercised within formal bounds.
3. Critique of the Dissenting Judgment
In the author’s view, the dissenting judgment in Munir Zulu suffers from a formalist and literalist interpretive approach that strips the Constitution of its normative core. By focusing narrowly on Article 79, the dissenting judgement reduced the Constitution to a procedural manual, devoid of values or purpose.
Such an approach risks endorsing elite constitutionalism, wherein the political class amends the Constitution for partisan or expedient purposes, while the citizenry watches from the sidelines. This vision is antithetical to Zambia’s post colonial constitutional evolution, which has sought to reposition the people as the primary authors of their governance architecture.
4. The Way Forward: Withdrawal as a Constitutional Necessity
In light of the Court’s Judgment, deferring the Bill is clearly not enough. The continued pursuit of Bill No. 7, even at a future date would be an affront to constitutional governance. Withdrawal is not merely a political choice; it is a constitutional imperative. To persist would: • Undermine judicial authority; • Weaken public confidence in democratic institutions; • And risk precipitating a constitutional crisis.
A re-engagement with the people, through deliberate civic education, public consultation, and transparent dialogue, must precede any legitimate attempt to amend the Constitution.
5. Conclusion
The judgment in Munir Zulu and Celestine Mukandila v. Attorney General is a seminal reaffirmation of the people’s primacy in constitutional governance. It cautions against stealth amendments and elite driven reform, reminding all arms of government that the legitimacy of constitutional change flows not from Parliament, but from the people themselves.
Bill No. 7 of 2025 is no longer a constitutional proposal; it is a poisoned chalice. Its withdrawal is not a concession, it is a corrective act of democratic responsibility.
In constitutional democracy, the ultimate authority does not lie in the halls of Parliament but in the hearts of the people. And when those people are excluded, the Constitution becomes not a covenant, but a command, legal, perhaps, but never legitimate.
The occult, the president, and the body: Understanding Zambia’s legal action against the Lungu family
By Sishuwa Sishuwa
On 24 June 2025, hours before late former president Edgar Lungu was set to be buried in South Africa the following day, Zambia’s Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha successfully applied for an interdict (injunction) in the Pretoria High Court, seeking to stop the burial and to repatriate his remains to Lusaka. Kabesha argued that the court action was motivated by three considerations: the need to accord Lungu a state funeral with full military honours, a precedent from a previous court ruling in Zambia involving the family of Kenneth Kaunda against the State, and public interest. It is my opinion that Kabesha’s arguments are without merit and that the real reasons behind his court action, whose trial shall run until August 2025, lie elsewhere.
Why the Attorney General’s stated reasons are unconvincing Let us closely examine the three reasons advanced by Zambia’s Attorney General. The first argument is that Lungu should be buried in Zambia because he deserves a state funeral to be attended by foreign dignitaries. This reason is not supported by law. In Zambia, the law that governs the benefits of former presidents is the Benefits of Former Presidents Act as amended by the Benefits of Former Presidents (Amendment) Act Number 21 of October 1998. It states that “a former President shall, upon ceasing to hold office, be entitled to:
(a) a tax-free monthly pension at the rate of eighty per cent of the incumbent president’s emoluments;
(b) the benefits set out in Schedule of this Act; all of which shall be a charge on the general revenues of the Republic.”
The benefits appearing in the stated Schedule are:
An office
One personal secretary
Three security persons.
Three cars, with free maintenance, and petrol entitlement to the extent determined by the Cabinet, but only one car for the surviving spouse.
Three drivers, but only one for the surviving spouse.
One Administrative Assistant, who shall be at the level of Deputy Permanent Secretary.
Three house employees, which number may be increased by Cabinet.
A diplomatic passport for the former President and his spouse.
A furnished house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice and ownership of the house shall be transferred to him.
Medical insurance for the former President and his spouse.
In each year, one return air ticket for the former President and one for his spouse.
Funeral Expenses on his death.
In addition to these outlined benefits, the Act states in section 4 (a) that “there shall be:
(a) assigned to a former President, within a period of not more than two years from the date of ceasing to hold office, a furnished executive house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice;
(b) provided to a former President immediately upon ceasing to hold office housing accommodation as the government considers fit before the house referred to in paragraph (a) is assigned to the former President; and
(c) provided by the State to a former President within a period of not more than six months from the date of ceasing to hold office, three drivers, three motor vehicles with free maintenance and entitlement to fuel to the extent determined by the Cabinet.”
The Act also provides for the circumstances when these benefits are not payable to a former President. Section 5 (1) states that
“The pension and other benefits conferred by this Act shall not be paid, assigned or provided to a former President who is —
(a) in receipt of a salary from the Government; or
(b) engaged in active politics.”
The Act, in section 2, defines “active politics” to mean —
“(a) the doing of any act indicating a person’s intention to hold elective or appointive office;
or
(b) the holding of elective or appointive office in a political party or in an organization whose main aim is the furtherance of political objectives”.
Following his defeat in Zambia’s 2021 election, Lungu retired from active politics in August that year and the State accorded him the benefits stipulated in the Act above. Two years later, in October 2023, the former president made a political comeback, and this prompted the State to withdraw his benefits. Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa explained that the decision to withdraw Lungu’s benefits emanated from “the fact that he has publicly told the nation that he has returned to active politics”. To avoid misrepresenting Mweetwa, it is worth quoting what he said at length:
“Section five of the Benefits of Former Presidents Act cap 15 of the laws of Zambia provides circumstances under which benefits of a former president can be withdrawn. One of them is where a former president is in active politics. So the nation is accordingly informed that the benefits that were accruing to former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu have henceforth been withdrawn in accordance with the law as by law established. This law has always been in place, so this trigger by Secretary to Cabinet is simply out of operation of the law’’.
This decision by the Zambian authorities meant that at the time of his death, Lungu, whose legal challenge against the move remains before the courts, had been stripped of all his benefits, including a state funeral – item number 12 in the cited Schedule to the Benefits of Former Presidents Act. Kabesha’s argument that Lungu’s remains should be repatriated to Zambia because the former president deserved a state funeral is therefore unsound because at the time of his death, Lungu was not entitled to one. There is no law that allows the State to reinstate rights or benefits on a deceased former president that were not accorded to him or her by law when he or she was alive.
The second argument is that Lungu should be buried in Zambia because there is a precedent that supports the State’s legal action, namely, the matter involving the family of Kenneth Kaunda against the State. This reason is equally defective for two reasons. One is that at the time he died, Kaunda was still enjoying the benefits accorded to former presidents by law, including funeral expenses. This was not the case for Lungu, as shown above. More importantly, the decision in the matter involving the family of Kaunda against the State does not serve as a precedent because it was merely a refusal by the High Court to grant leave to commence judicial review of the government’s decision to inter Kaunda at Embassy Park against his wishes, as stated below.
To recap: Prior to his death, Zambia’s founding President Kenneth Kaunda had told his family that it was his wish to be buried at his property in State Lodge area of Lusaka next to his late wife, Betty Kaunda. After he died in June 2021, the family stated that they would respect or honour his wishes. The Zambian State, represented by the Secretary to Cabinet, decided in early July that Kaunda would be buried at Embassy Park in the heart of Lusaka on 7 July 2021 and thereafter be exhumed and reburied in accordance with his wishes.
In response to this decision, the Kaunda family, represented by his son Kaweche Kaunda, filed an urgent application in the High Court on 6 July 2021, seeking leave to commence judicial review against the State over the specified decision. The family argued that every decision that the State makes must be governed by law, and that since there is no law that obliges the government to bury the remains of a former president at Embassy Park, the decision must be declared null and void for want of authority. They also asked the court to order the State to release the remains of Kaunda so that he could be buried in accordance with his wishes. The Kaunda family requested the court to stay the decision to bury him until after hearing the arguments from both sides in the main matter.
High Court judge Wilfred Muma sat on the urgent application until after the burial took place on 7 July. Following the burial, Muma ruled that that he was not persuaded that the family had a good case and thus refused to grant them permission to commence judicial review against the State, who did not even bother to appear before him. Although Muma gave the family leave to appeal against his decision, the family chose not to, as doing so would have been an academic exercise since the action they sought to prevent – the burial of Kaunda in a place that disregarded his wishes – had already taken place.
Since the government’s decision was never reviewed by the court for the reasons stated above, this outcome meant that there was no judgment in the Kaunda case that could serve as a precedent. A judicial review of the government’s decision would have resulted in it either being set aside or upheld. In the current case involving late former president Lungu, it was precisely because the State was aware that the decision in the Kaunda case was not a legal precedent that it resorted to negotiating with Lungu’s family to secure a political settlement. This action constituted an acknowledgement that in the absence of written law or precedent that it could rely on to enforce its wishes, the State does not have the power to dictate where a former president shall be buried. Kabesha knows all this but decided to file the case anyway for possible reasons that I discuss below.
The final argument that Lungu should be buried in Zambia because of custom-driven “public interest” – an elusive term whose meaning is not defined in any Zambian statute – is somewhat persuasive only if someone overlooks the prime reason behind the family’s decision to bury him outside the country: President Hichilema’s refusal to stay away from his predecessor’s funeral, as per the wishes of the deceased. It is true that there is a significant section of Zambians who may wish to pay their last respects to the former president. In Zambia, people like to see a dead leader to give them their last respects. Burying Lungu in South Africa would deny them the opportunity to do so.
However, in the absence of legislation that provides for burial rites of former presidents, these customs and practices must be weighed against individual rights and the rights of the family to bear autonomy to the deceased. According to his family, Lungu made it clear that he did not want his successor to be anywhere near his body and funeral if he died: “Former president Lungu’s settled wishes were that in the event of his death, those who never showed any interest in his welfare while he was alive should not be allowed to pretend to be interested in his welfare in death. He specifically directed the family to ensure that the current President of Zambia should be nowhere near his body or funeral”, revealed family spokesperson Makebi Zulu at a press conference earlier this month.
Examples abound about how Lungu was badly treated by the Hichilema administration when he was alive. For instance, in September 2023, the State prevented Lungu from leaving the country to seek medical treatment in clear violation of the law since this action happened before he returned to active politics. In the same month, the State also blocked him from traveling to South Korea on a self-funded trip to a conference on peace after forcibly removing him and his luggage from the airplane he had earlier boarded.
Lungu was to suffer more acts of abuse and injustice at the hands of the administration in subsequent years, so his decision to bar his successor from his funeral is understandable. In enforcing his wishes and deciding to bury him in South Africa, the interests of the family, who includes several of Lungu’s relatives whom the government has dragged to court on assorted charges, are thus based on previous ill-treatment of the deceased by the State and the President’s refusal to stay away from the body and funeral, if held in Zambia. Should the family’s interests be overridden by the public interest? Well, the courts will decide.
The real reasons behind Zambia’s court action in Pretoria In my view, the decision by Kabesha to sue the Lungu family in South Africa over his remains have little to do with any of the official reasons provided. The legal action has much to do with three possible motivations that are entirely political.
The first appears to be superstition. To state this reason is not to express the author’s belief in the occult or to assert with confidence that Hichilema practices occultism; it is to acknowledge a sticky point that is at the heart of the standoff between the family and Hichilema when it comes to the funeral of the late former president. The family seems to firmly believe that there are items from Lungu’s body that may be taken for ritual purposes by Hichilema if the President is anywhere near the corpse or if it is left, even briefly, in the sole custody of the state. There also appears to be a general belief that Lungu may have been eliminated by actors linked to the State, one that is accompanied by another belief: that individuals who may have contributed to his death are set follow him to the grave imminently unless certain rituals are done to immunise themselves, using his body items, from premature departure from the Earth.
The belief that the president may be involved in the death of his predecessor and, if true, the consequences that may follow him appears to explain two contradictory positions. On the one hand, nearly everything done by the Lungu family so far seems to have been designed to deny Hichilema access to Lungu’s body. On the other, Hichilema’s conduct so far suggests that he will do whatever it takes to secure access to Lungu’s corpse, perhaps because the president sees the issue as a matter of life and death. A review of the evolving developments that have followed Lungu’s demise supports these observations.
After Lungu died, a prominent Zambian journalist, Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya, reported that government agents had unsuccessfully attempted to steal Lungu’s corpse from the South African mortuary where it was kept. In addition to prompting the Lungu family to move the corpse to a more secure place, this action fed public speculation that the agents might have been sent by Hichilema. The government’s failure to distance itself from the reported attempt to capture Lungu’s corpse only fuelled the speculation.
This action also did little to improve the suspicion between the government and the Lungu family, especially in relation to discussions on how Lungu’s remains were to be transported to Zambia and the funeral programme. However, following protracted negotiations, the two parties reached a compromise consisting of several commitments, five of which appear to be connected to the stated beliefs. One was that Lungu’s body would be taken back to Zambia by the family on 18 June using a private charter made available by well-wishers. This indicates possible fear by the family that a government aircraft could enable Hichilema or his agents to remove certain items from Lungu’s body for occultic goals. The second commitment was that on arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, the body was to be received by family members and accorded military honours before being taken to the family’s private residence where it was to lie in state. Hichilema’s presence at the airport was not part of the agreement.
The third was that on 19, 20, and 21 June, the body would be taken to a designated venue, Mulungushi International Conference Centre, in Lusaka, to enable members of the public view the remains of the former president between 9am and 4pm. It was to be returned to Lungu’s residence daily at the conclusion of each session. The fourth was that Hichilema would be allowed to preside over the state funeral involving foreign dignitaries on 22 June, but there was no clear indication on whether the body was to be made available for this event. The willingness to allow Hichilema to preside over the funeral demonstrated a compromise on the part of the Lungu family. It was also agreed that the Archbishop of Lusaka Diocese, Alick Banda, was to preside over the church service that was to be held at the Lusaka Showgrounds on 23 June, the day of burial. Finally, until the day of burial, the body was to be accompanied at all times by three people when outside Lungu’s residence: the late president’s Aide-De-Camp, his personal physician, and a member of the family.
A day before Lungu’s remains were to leave South Africa, a Zambian government agency announced that the road that partly leads to Lungu’s residence would be closed for road maintenance for a period of one week. This action was generally seen by the Lungu family as an attempt by the authorities to create the pretext it needed to keep Lungu’s body in a government-controlled facility where the items for occultic use could be extracted. After protest from the family, the government rescheduled the roadworks to a later date. Next, the government, without consulting the Lungu family, released the funeral programme that contained four elements that drew further protests from the family.
The first element was that Hichilema would be the one to formally receive Lungu’s body at the airport. The second was the insertion of a brief church service at the presidential pavilion within the airport terminal before the body was taken away. The third was the decision by the government to effectively ban members of the public from going to the airport to receive Lungu’s remains by limiting attendance to only those invited by the authorities. On the day when the body was set to arrive in Lusaka, hundreds of police officers were lined up on the airport road to give effect to this ban, a clear departure from precedent. For instance, when President Levy Mwanawasa died abroad in 2008, thousands of Zambians thronged the airport without any restrictions to receive the corpse. The same was the case after President Michael Sata died in the United Kingdom in 2014. The move by the Hichilema administration to block people from receiving the corpse, alongside militarisation of the airport premises, displeased the family and worsened public suspicion around the arrival of the body.
The fourth element was the notice by the government that Hichilema was to be the first person to view the corpse when body viewing opened to members of the public on 19 June. All these additions were not agreed with the family and generally seen as aimed at enabling Hichilema to access Lungu’s corpse. Taken together, these unilateral decisions or violations of the agreement, alongside Hichilema’s refusal to delegate anyone such as Vice-President Mutale Nalumango or Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa to preside over the funeral of his predecessor, are what prompted the Lungu family to decide that they would rather bury the former president in South Africa via a private ceremony and only exhume his remains for reburial in Zambia once Hichilema is out of office. In protest at the family’s decision, Hichilema cancelled the period of national mourning three days before it was due to end.
As a general point, it is worth emphasising that within certain segments of Zambian society, there is a strong belief in occult practices and the notion that power, misfortune, or protection may be manipulated through the remains of the dead. In this context, fears that parts of Lungu’s body could be used for ritualistic purposes if the state gained control over the corpse have featured prominently in both private and public discourse. To restate: this belief is not asserted here as fact, nor is it suggested that President Hichilema subscribes to or practices occultism. In fact, the author does not believe in the occult. However, what matters for the purpose of this analysis is that these beliefs appear to be real and consequential to the actors involved, shaping decisions on both sides of the dispute.
For example, the family’s insistence on always guarding the body, chartering a private aircraft for its transportation to Lusaka, and resisting government-led funeral arrangements may be interpreted as precautionary actions rooted in these fears. Even the family’s court-endorsed decision that no one should secure access to Lungu’s body throughout the court proceedings without their authorisation is rooted in the same fears. Similarly, Hichilema’s apparent determination to secure access to the body, despite the family’s objections, has further fuelled public suspicion, particularly in a society where past political transitions have often been accompanied by accusations of spiritual warfare.
If these beliefs are indeed guiding decisions on both sides, then the government’s court action may be seen not simply as a matter of legal or national protocol, but as an attempt to overcome what it perceives to be irrational resistance based on superstition. Conversely, the family may view the state’s actions as confirmation of their fears. This tension between public authority and private belief creates a volatile mixture of legal, political, and cultural dynamics, without requiring that the analyst, or any rational observer, believe in the supernatural claims themselves.
It is possible that Hichilema is entirely innocent of the allegations that he plans to use Lungu’s body for ritual purposes but his refusal to pledge to stay away from the funeral has only fuelled rumours that his actions may be connected to witchcraft practices. Seen from this perspective, the legal action by the Zambian government in South Africa can be interpreted as an attempt by Hichilema to use not only public resources for private gain but also ‘public interest’ as a cover for securing the repatriation of Lungu’s body to Zambia where the State can bulldoze its way over the family and enable the President or his agents to access it.
The second possible reason behind the government’s court action in South Africa is to force the Lungu family back to mediation that would result in the repatriation of Lungu’s remains to Zambia. On 25 July, the Pretoria High Court issued directives to both parties, stating that trial in the case would span a period of over a month. Here, the government may be hoping that instead of engaging in a costly and protracted legal battle in a foreign country, a battle that would keep their loved one in a refrigerator for months, Lungu’s family would be worn out by the lengthy court process and more open to a negotiated settlement. After all, there is no guarantee that the former president would be buried in August when the Pretoria High Court is likely to pass judgment since whoever loses the case has recourse to appeal to superior courts.
Since the filing of the court action, Kabesha, Mweetwa, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, have all publicly called on the Lungus to embrace mediation “so that the former president can be given a dignified burial back home.” By exerting pressure on the Lungus this way, the government might be thinking that the legal action would easily persuade them to agree to the repatriation of Lungu’s remains to Lusaka where Hichilema can more easily have access to them for reasons stated in the first point. Using this strategy, it is even possible for Hichilema, who has shown that he can hardly be trusted, to promise that he would stay away from Lungu’s funeral and U-turn once the body is in Zambia.
The third possible reason behind the government’s court action in South Africa is to reduce the political costs of burying Lungu in exile. If the former president is interred in South Africa, the issue of Lungu’s burial location is likely to feature prominently in the political campaigns ahead of the country’s general election next year. Hichilema’s rivals could promise voters that they would exhume Lungu’s remains and bring them to Zambia for reburial if the person who made it impossible for the former president to be buried at home was voted out.
By initiating the court action, Hichilema is probably hoping that he could undermine the effectiveness of such political messages by claiming that he tried all that he could do to bring Lungu’s remains to Zambia and was only prevented by the South African courts. If the court action succeeds, Hichilema, whose administration violated Lungu’s right to travel abroad for medical treatment and the logical outcome is what has happened (death), can try to cleanse himself by showing care for him in death that he did not show when Lungu was alive.
It emerges from the above analysis that Zambia’s legal effort to compel the return of the former president’s remains from South Africa lacks a credible legal basis and appears to be primarily driven by political and occult-related motives. The official reasons – his entitlement to a state funeral, a precedent from the Kaunda case, and public interest – do not withstand scrutiny. Lungu forfeited his presidential benefits by re-entering active politics, and the Kaunda case produced no binding legal precedent. Beneath these claims lies a deeper unease: the belief within Lungu’s family that the State, or agents within it, may seek access to his body for occult purposes.
While such fears may seem extreme, they are deeply rooted in Zambia’s political imagination and have shaped the family’s refusal to hand over the remains. This resistance is further fuelled by the Hichilema administration’s prior mistreatment of Lungu during his life. The case reveals a troubling paradox: a government that denied Lungu dignity in life now insists on overseeing his burial. The Pretoria High Court must now determine whether legal coercion, framed as public interest, should override the rights of the deceased and his family. The answer must be no. Dignity in death, like dignity in life, must not be subjected to political exploitation or occult anxiety disguised as national concern.
It is worth noting that since his election in 2021, Hichilema has conducted himself in several ways that have fed public perception that he believes in the supernatural. For instance, the President has refused to live in State House, the official residence of all his predecessors and even colonial heads of governments since 1924. As a result, he commutes from his home to State House every day at a huge public cost in what is arguably a form of abuse of office. He also infamously refused to directly receive the instruments of power from President Lungu during his inauguration ceremony in 2021, allowing his bodyguard to receive them on his behalf instead. More recently, in December 2024, two individuals, Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri, were arrested and prosecuted on a charge of attempting to assassinate the President of Zambia through supernatural means. In a press statement, police said that the duo was hired by Hichilema’s political opponents, found with “assorted charms” including a live chameleon, and formally indicted under a 1914 colonial-era law, the Witchcraft Act.
Generally, Zambians have come to believe that the cited and several other examples provide an entry point for understanding the mind of Hichilema. His insistence that he would preside over Lungu’s funeral, even when the deceased’s family have made it clear that his participation is entirely unwelcome, is as incriminating as it is bizarre and against African culture. Such conduct will only lend credence to general perceptions that Hichilema believes in superstition, has a personal interest in the funeral, and probably considers any failure to access the corpse of his predecessor as an existential threat to his own life.
HYENAS IN PF STARTED BETRAYING EDGAR WHILE HE BATTLED FOR HIS LIFE
The Candidates’ Editorial Comment
It is very clear by now that Edgar Lungu died a betrayed man. Edgar was betrayed by elements in PF and all opposition parties who were or are in a marriage of convenience with the Patriotic Front (PF).Of course, when we say this, we do not attempt to sanitize the ruling party, the United Party for National Development (UPND) and it’s leader Hakainde Hichilema from their own sins,their own faults in Edgar’s life after he lost elections. The public is well aware of how cruel Hakainde was to Edgar. There is no need to discuss this issue, as the public is there to judge for themselves.
We want to focus on the PF and the opposition.
When Edgar opted to join active politics again, a number of these one man parties such as Bene Harry Kalaba, Saboi Imboela, Sakwiba Sikota and many others surrounded themselves around Edgar, for the sole purpose of using him to gain some political relevance. They went into marriage with PF not because they loved Edgar and the idea of having him in their groupings but purely to use his name to gain mileage. They did not care what this was doing to him, or how his health was at that moment. We believe they knew how the man was. Behind Edgar’s back, the so-called United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) was busy scheming how to betray Edgar. With an exception of late Edith Nawakwi, the entire group of UKA had no interest of Edgar at heart. They just wanted to milk his political potency.
Then came the Tonse Alliance – another hypocritical, poisonous group of political jackals that betrayed Edgar at his back while he was battling for his life in South Africa. With an exception of Sean Tembo and Dan Pule, many of these elements in Tonse Alliance did not mean good to Edgar Lungu. While Edgar was in hospital, battling for his life, these jackals, the hyenas – political opportunists were busy scheming of how to reorganize the Tonse Alliance in anticipation of Edgar’s death. For example, we know of how a scheme was hatched to change the Tonse Alliance leadership, expel some members and install a new one for the purpose of easy taking over of Tonse Alliance Chairmanship from Edgar even before he passed.
We have all heard that audio in which Socialist Party officials – Kelvin Kaunda and Akende M’membe – were discussing the take over of Tonse Alliance Chairmanship by Fred M’membe, and all provincial leadership structures in Zambia while Edgar was in South Africa, sick. They even sacarsticly nicknamed Edgar ba Johannesburg. Yet, while this audio was making rounds on social media, mocking Edgar as he was on bed battling for his life, PF Secretary General Raphael Nakacinda and Acting party President Given Lubinda were busy in meetings with Socialist Party leaders winning and dinning with, whereas, they even attempted to dubiously expel Sean Tembo from the Council of Presidents of that Alliance. Do these actions in any way signify that these PF leaders loved Edgar? The answer is categorical no.
As things stand today, there are camps within the opposition over who will take over from Edgar as Tonse Alliance Chairperson. And in these camps, the leadership within PF is collecting huge monies from all sorts of party presidents of opposition parties, to deliver fake endorsements and claim that such persons were desired by Edgar to be the Tonse Alliance 2026 Presidential candidate. Edgar Lungu did not endorse anyone. If anything, Edgar did not trust some of these characters at all. We shall come to this later in the intervening periods.
However , while these crooks are banking big out of this, the cadres on the low ranks are benefiting nothing. When you take stock, you will find most of the PF supporters are blindly told to support such and such a candidate without knowing that the very leaders who are swaying them into supporting particular candidates have been paid already for their dubious services. The cadres will remain struggling and suffering, and dying like dogs.
The truth of course is that save for Makebi Zulu, many of these hyenas, these jackals, these tsetseflies are crooks who betrayed Edgar when he was battling for his life. Before anyone is chosen as Tonse Alliance Chairperson, there is need for the PF to choose a leader within themselves to represent them at the Council of Presidents. We know that there is an attempt to flaunt Given Lubinda as a representative of PF at this Council of Presidents. Given is merely acting, and should not act in perpetuity. If PF wants Given to occupy the post of party President, let them go to the Convention and elect him in an acceptable manner unlike the clandestine nonsense we’re seeing today in PF.
EDITOR’S CHOICE- Presidency in Retreat: The Truth Behind the Deferring of Bill No. 7 by President Hakainde Hichilema
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
On 26 June 2025, the nation was hit by a rude shock. A press statement from State House announced that President Hakainde Hichilema had “guided” the Minister of Justice to defer Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 to allow for broader national consultation.
Let us set the record straight. The claim that this deferral was guided by democratic instincts or a desire for inclusive dialogue is not only misleading; it is a calculated distortion of the truth. It was not leadership. It was not humility. It was a political retreat. A retreat from legal defeat. A retreat from constitutional exposure. A retreat from the people.
A Last-Minute Save from Impeachment
This decision was not driven by principle. It was driven by panic. The President and his inner circle had already received word that the Constitutional Court was preparing to strike down Bill No. 7 for violating key provisions of Zambia’s supreme law. Had the judgment been handed down, it would not only have nullified the bill but would also likely have ignited a national debate on presidential misconduct, which constitutes grounds for impeachment.
Instead, a convenient spin was hastily crafted. “Consultation” became the buzzword used to disguise what was, in truth, a constitutional capitulation.
A Pattern of Political Abuse
We have seen this pattern before. Just as President Hichilema used his political surrogate Michelo Chizombe to file a petition to disqualify the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu from the 2026 elections—a case where insiders suspiciously knew the Constitutional Court’s judgment days before its public delivery on 10 December 2024—we again witness the same choreography. Weaponize the judiciary, pre-empt the backlash, and control the narrative.
https://youtu.be/6TvwVKgWnHA?si=hTQiktTDVS_DOmp_
But this time, the stakes were higher. This time, the scheme targeted the Constitution itself.
Bill No. 7: Reform or Power Grab?
Bill No. 7 was not designed to strengthen democracy. It was a Trojan horse, carefully disguised as reform, while containing provisions that would have
expanded presidential powers, weakening institutional checks and balances
interfered with electoral timelines and processes, giving the Executive influence over the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)
reduced parliamentary oversight, centralizing decision-making in the Presidency
undermined judicial independence by restructuring the appointment processes of constitutional judges
All this was packaged under a vague promise of modernizing the Constitution. Yet the bill was drafted in secrecy, presented without genuine public consultation, and rushed through Parliament with scant regard for constitutional procedure.
The Legal Fightback
It was in this moment of constitutional peril that Hon. Munir Zulu, then an Independent MP for Lumezi, alongside his legal counterpart Celestine Mukandila, stepped forward. With courage and clarity, they filed a constitutional petition challenging the legality of Bill No. 7.
They did not act out of political self-interest but out of patriotic duty. Their case was anchored in the rule of law. It was methodical. It was principled. It was brave.
Judiciary in Captivity
The reality is as painful as it is undeniable. Zambia’s judiciary is no longer fully independent. Under President Hichilema’s administration, the courts have become entangled in politics. Judges are reassigned, intimidated, or strategically promoted based on loyalty. The Constitutional Court, once the final shield for the people’s rights, now delivers judgments that increasingly echo the voice of the Executive.
When the President knows the outcomes of court cases before the judges speak, we are no longer in a democracy. We are in a system that mimics democracy but is ruled by executive control, an elected autocracy.
Yet in this instance, the scheme faltered. Some judges, still faithful to their oath, resisted the pressure. The result was a four-to-three split vote. The four who upheld the Constitution prepared to deliver a ruling against Bill No. 7. The other three, who supported the bill, informed the President in advance, as they usually did, and explained the consequences the judgment would have on his presidency.
The President blinked. In a last-minute maneuver, the bill was deferred to avoid a judgment that could have shaken the very foundations of his administration.
The People Are Awake
Zambians have had enough. Enough of power plays disguised as reform. Enough of constitutional mutilation for political convenience. Enough of selective prosecution. Enough of judicial puppetry.
What we demand is simple:
honest leadership
an independent judiciary
protection of constitutional order
a government that respects, not reinterprets, the law
The deferring of Bill No. 7 is not the end. It is the beginning of a new phase in Zambia’s democratic awakening. Civil society is rising. The legal fraternity is alert. Youth across the country, who will inherit the future shaped by this Constitution, are watching, organizing, and remembering.
A Warning, Not Just a Critique
Let this moment serve not just as a critique but as a warning.
Mr. President, you were not elected to rewrite the Constitution to suit your personal or political ends. You were elected to protect it. You took an oath not to your party, not to your advisors, but to the people of Zambia and to the Constitution itself.
If you attempt again to undermine it, know this. The people will resist. The courts, if they remain true, will resist. The Constitution will resist.
The Truth Cannot Be Deferred
The truth is now out. The judiciary has been compromised. The Constitution has been under siege. And the people? They are no longer asleep.
Mr. President, the people are watching. And this time, they will not look away.
Pilato explains ‘silence’ on public issues, cites new role demands problem solving FUMBA Chama, widely known as Pilato, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts, has addressed public inquiries regarding his perceived silence on national issues since assuming his government role.
Chama, a prominent musician and activist prior to his December 2022 appointment, stated his current duty is to listen and offer solutions rather than vocalise public grievances. “Yes, I cannot talk with food in the mouth,” Chama said, referencing a common adage during an appearance on the Kenny T, One on One podcast.
He elaborated that his transition from activist to government official necessitates a shift in approach. Chama emphasised that his current position requires him to focus on problem-solving. “When I start screaming, who will offer the solution?” he questioned in referrence to past activism where he would publicly decry issues like the high cost of mealie meal.
“I may not be there to scream because my solution now is to find solutions to those things I personally called for and those things I stood against.” The Permanent Secretary further explained that identifying problems is the work of those outside of power, while those in power are tasked with finding solutions.
“Where I am now, just knowing the problem is enough, from my position now without coming out with a solution I would have done nothing,” he stated, asserting that failing to provide solutions would be a waste of public time.
“I cannot scream because I am supposed to be screamed at, I cannot be the one to say ‘ubunga nabudula,’ my duty is to listen to what people are saying, to the many problems they are saying and offer a solution.”
During the podcast, Chama also commended Minister of Youth, Sport, and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, for his support and collaborative efforts within the ministry, including fellow permanent secretary in the ministry Kangwa Chileshe.
“We relate well at the ministry, with Jason Kabanana and the minister who offers the brotherly love we all need. I think we found each other,” said Pilato…https://kalemba.news/…/pilato-explains-silence-on…/ By Lucy Phiri Kalemba June 29, 2025
KANCHIBIYA MP TO SUE GOVERNMENT OVER RIVER CONTAMINATION.
Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya Constituency, Sunday Chanda, has taken legal action against the government over the contamination of the Kanchibiya and Lwitikila rivers in Mpika District. The contamination is attributed to the Kanyelele gold mining activities, which are said to be using high levels of cyanide and mercury for gold refining.
According to Mr. Chanda, the mining activities have resulted in significant pollution and contamination of the rivers, posing a threat to the environment and the community. The MP expressed frustration over the lack of response from environmental regulatory bodies, including the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA), despite multiple appeals from both the MP and community members.
Mr. Chanda stated that he had previously raised concerns about the issue on an interconnected live radio program on Mpika and Yusufu Radio, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the contamination. However, the lack of response from the relevant authorities prompted him to seek legal recourse.
The MP’s lawsuit targets the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, seeking redress for the alleged environmental damage caused by the mining activities. The case underscores the growing concerns about environmental degradation and the need for effective regulation of mining activities in Zambia.
The outcome of this case is expected to have significant implications for environmental protection and the regulation of mining activities in the country. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the allegations and what measures will be taken to address the contamination of the Kanchibiya and Lwitikila rivers.
KELVIN MUTALE SAMPA RALLIES UPND STRUCTURES IN KASAMA: CALLS FOR UNITY, MOBILIZATION, AND NATIONAL INCLUSIVENESS
Reported By:Open Development Media| Kasama | Northern Province | June 29, 2025
Kelvin Mutale Sampa has called on the United Party for National Development (UPND) structures in Kasama to remain committed and focused on growing the party as Zambia moves closer to the 2026 general elections.
Speaking during a meeting with party officials, Sampa acknowledged and praised the efforts made by the grassroots in mobilizing the party over the years. He encouraged members—particularly those who have been with the party from the beginning and may be feeling discouraged—not to give up. “This is the time to show that we are the ruling party,” he said. “If we don’t take that responsibility, others will act as though they are the ones in charge.”
Sampa echoed sentiments shared by the UPND Provincial Secretary for Northern Province, reinforcing the need for consistency and visibility by party members at every level.
He also highlighted the leadership style of President Hakainde Hichilema, whom he described as a man of wisdom and patience. “People insult and abuse him, but he doesn’t respond in anger. When he responds, he does so with wisdom—like a wise parent in a home. That is the kind of leadership Zambia needs,” Sampa said.
In a strong call against tribalism, Sampa reflected on past regional attitudes, saying, “Since 1964, there has been a belief that only someone from Northern, Luapula or Eastern Province could lead the country. But I asked myself—was this country created only for Bembas and Easterners? No. Zambia belongs to all of us. As long as you have a national registration card, you are Zambian. We must love and embrace all tribes.”
He called on the people of Northern Province to fully support President Hichilema and work together to build a united Zambia. As a symbolic gesture of national unity, he shared that he had recently bought animals from Southern Province, humorously adding, “We also want to have a Bemba bull.”
Sampa also raised concerns about lingering political thuggery in the province, revealing that his own wife had faced abuse based on false tribal perceptions. He called on the Provincial Secretary to work with the police in strengthening security, particularly in light of reports that certain groups of thugs—formerly associated with past political violence—are now roaming freely.
“These are the same people who once abused citizens in the streets. Today they have nothing to do because President Hichilema does not condone lawlessness,” he said, urging law enforcement to act decisively.
Sampa concluded by emphasizing mobilization, unity, and love as the core message heading into the 2026 elections. “Let us stand together, work together, and protect the values of One Zambia, One Nation,” he said. Hon. Kelvin Mutale Sampa WAGON MEDIA UPND Zambia Open Development Forum Muvombo Development Tv Hon Batuke Imenda
Nelson Chamisa finally addresses rumours of being a ZANU PF agent Former opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has responded to persistent gossip accusing him of being a ZANU PF agent. The claims have circulated for years, with some accusing him of secretly aiding the ruling party. In a post on X dated 28 June 2025, Chamisa finally broke his silence.
“I’m used to being blamed for literally everything and anything… Some gossip that I found and formed Zanu PF in 1963… Some gossip that I have rainmaking powers yet I withhold the rains and cause droughts… Yet some gossip that I cause every misfortune that befalls them,” he posted.
He urged Zimbabweans to ignore what he described as “profitless gossip” and instead focus on their faith.
“Never waste precious time on profitless gossip. Invest more time in the gospel of salvation — the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Chamisa’s statement came in response to a direct question posed by an X user, after he had tweeted about Job Sikhala’s new book.
“People they been gossiping that you’re a ZANU pf agent, is this true?” user @Terrenc14834103 asked.
Chamisa’s response quickly went viral, with his post gaining thousands of views within hours.
Social media backlash after political comeback Chamisa’s remarks follow mounting criticism over his recent return to frontline politics, just months after stepping away from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
In an interview with The Standard published days earlier, Chamisa explained:
“Leaving the CCC is different from leaving the people of Zimbabwe whom I so deeply respect and value. I left the old vehicle only because ZANU-PF had captured and compromised it.”
He also described ZANU PF’s “Vision 2030” agenda as a distraction.
“The whole 2030 nonsense is a desperate attempt to avoid the people… It is an attempt to create a window for further destroying an otherwise beautiful country.”
But his comeback has not been warmly received by everyone. Some Zimbabweans expressed frustration over what they see as political inconsistency.
One user on X wrote:
“He must get a life. Hatisi imbwa dzake isu. Ngaamiswe hake mukomana (We are not his dogs. That young man must be initiated).”
“I’m not going to waste my time ever again going to vote in Zimbabwe. The opposition are a paid lot and they don’t care about the masses.”
Others accused him of abandoning the struggle only to return when convenient.
“Chamisa ngaambomira kukonzeresa confusion (should stop causing confusion). What new is he bringing except to legitimise a flawed process?” wrote @mattiedziva.
A legacy of controversy Chamisa’s political career has never been short of controversy. He left the MDC in 2022 after internal wrangles and formed CCC — which he later abandoned in January 2024, calling it “hijacked” and “contaminated.”
In his 13-page resignation statement, he said:
“The original CCC idea has however been contaminated, bastardized, hijacked by ZANU PF through the abuse of State institutions.”
Throughout his career, Chamisa has claimed to face threats to his life, including an alleged assassination attempt in 2022 and physical assaults in previous years.
He remains one of the most visible opposition figures in Zimbabwe but continues to polarise opinion, particularly after abruptly returning to the political stage.
The mortal remains of Corporal Sakachoma Muloke Stephen, the fallen Soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving with the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), returned to Zambian soil, today, 28 June, 2025 in the morning.
Cpl Sakachoma’s remains arrived with a Ugandan Airways flight, and were received with full military honours at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka.
Zambia Army Colonel General Staff,Colonel Teddy Tembo represented the Commander Zambia Army, Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele in receiving the body.
Cpl Sakachoma’s untimely death on duty is a poignant reminder of the risks and sacrifices that our brave men and women in uniform undertake to protect global peace and stability.
In this moment of grief, the Zambia Army stands united in support of its fallen hero’s family and loved ones, and continues to pray for the strength to carry on in the face of adversity.
A 44-year-old man of Ten Miles has dragged his wife, Mercy Bwalya, 23, to court seeking divorce over allegations of infidelity and use of charms to control him.
John Ncwane told the Matero Local Court that he met Bwalya on Facebook and later married her, only to discover she cheated on him just two days after their wedding.
Ncwane said Bwalya and her family had hired her former boyfriend to be the DJ at their wedding and despite discovering this, he forgave her.
He further told the court that just a week into their marriage, he found out that Bwalya was entertaining 33 other men, and had nud£ photos of other men on her phone.
Donald Trump launched into a tirade against a Republican senator who said he’s a “no” on the so-called “big, beautiful” bill.
Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday as a key procedural vote was stalled in the Senate, saying, “Looks like Senator Thom Tillis, as usual, wants to tell the Nation that he’s giving them a 68% Tax Increase, as opposed to the Biggest Tax Cut in American History!”
“At the same time, he is unable to understand the importance of a Debt Extension, which Republicans gave to the Democrats just prior to the November 5th Election, because of its significance, and how important it was for the future of the U.S.A.,” Trump wrote. “Sadly, the Democrat Politicians probably won’t reciprocate on a Debt Extension because they’re nasty people who actually hate our Country.”
He continued:
“Tillis is also willing to throw the very important Tobacco Industry in North Carolina, ‘out the window,’ for reasons nobody seems to understand. He loves China made windmills that will cost a fortune, ruin the landscape, and produce the most expensive Energy on Earth. I can’t believe that the Great People of North Carolina, a State that I love and won all three times, and a State that I just brought back with money, blood, sweat, and tears, from the recent tragic floods, when Sleepy Joe Biden let them DROWN, right up until the end of that Administration, without doing anything — I was given an A+ Rating for the job we did in bringing it back, and Tillis, despite being a Republican, was MISSING IN ACTION — North Carolina will not allow one of their Senators to GRANDSTAND in order to get some publicity for himself, for a possible, but very difficult Re-Election.”
Trump added, “America wants Reduced Taxes, including NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, AND NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY, Interest Deductions on Cars, Border Security, a Strong Military, and a Bill which is GREAT for our Farmers, Manufacturers and, Employment, in general. Thom Tillis is making a BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina!”
The eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing multiple r@pe and s3xual assault charges involving what police describe as a “double-digit number” of alleged victims.
Authorities announced that 28-year-old Marius Borg Høiby — son of Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon was charged following numerous arrests in 2024 as accusers began coming forward.
“I cannot go into further detail about the number of victims beyond confirming that it is a double-digit number,” Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski said.
Høiby, once widely known in Norway as “Little Marius,” has a past marked by public struggles with cocaine addiction. Police said evidence leading to the charges included interviews and text messages.
He now faces one charge of rape involving intercourse, two charges of rape without intercourse, four counts of sexual assault, and two counts of bodily harm.
Høiby’s attorney, Petar Sekulic, said his client is cooperating fully with the investigation. “He is absolutely taking the accusations very seriously,” Sekulic said, but added, “he doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases — especially those regarding sexual abuse and violence.”
The royal, who once lived with the crown prince and princess and their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, now resides in a separate house nearby.
The palace has declined to comment, stating it will wait for the case to proceed through “normal procedures.”
While Høiby enjoyed the same privileges and royal circles as his half-siblings, he previously admitted to cocaine addiction. His biological father, Morton Borg, served prison time for drug and violent offenses.
