US President Donald Trump on Friday, June 28, claimed he had saved Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from assassination, only to be met with “ingratitude.”
He then warned he would order fresh strikes if Iran pursued nuclear weapons.
In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized Tehran for declaring victory over Israel and announced he was halting discussions on possible sanctions relief.
Trump said the United States would have “no hesitation” in bombing Iran again if the country resumed enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels after recent US strikes.
The president accused Khamenei of ingratitude following remarks by the Iranian leader downplaying damage from the bombings and boasting that Iran had defeated Israel and delivered a “slap” to Washington.
“I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel or the U.S. Armed Forces—the greatest and most powerful in the world—terminate his life,” Trump wrote. “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he doesn’t even have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!’”
Trump revealed he had been considering easing sanctions on Iran, a longstanding demand of Tehran’s, but dropped the idea after Khamenei’s defiant statements.
“Instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, so I immediately stopped all work on sanction relief,” Trump said, urging Iran to return to the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, Iran has denied it plans to restart nuclear talks with Washington, contradicting Trump’s earlier comments at a NATO summit in The Hague suggesting new negotiations could begin next week.
Tehran also rejected a request by Rafael Grossi, head of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to inspect facilities recently targeted by Israeli and US strikes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Grossi on X of failing to condemn the bombings, calling it an “astounding betrayal” of his responsibilities.
Asked at a White House press conference whether he would approve new airstrikes if previous ones failed to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Trump replied: “Sure. Without question. Absolutely.”
Trump also ridiculed Khamenei’s claims of victory, saying Iran “got beat to hell” during the recent hostilities. “It was a great time to end it,” he said.
In his posts, Trump added: “As a man of great faith, he [Khamenei] is not supposed to lie, yet he blatantly and foolishly claims Iran won the 12-day war with Israel.”
The war of words follows a fragile ceasefire after a conflict that erupted on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes it said were intended to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
“Israel acted at the last possible moment against an imminent threat to itself, the region, and the world,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted on X. “Now the international community must prevent, by any means necessary, the world’s most extreme regime from acquiring the world’s most dangerous weapon.”
Khamenei made his first appearance since the ceasefire in a televised address Thursday, declaring Iran’s “victory” over Israel and vowing never to bow to US pressure.
“The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways—it seems he needed this exaggeration,” Khamenei said, rejecting Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear program had been set back by decades
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a peace agreement in Washington on Friday, marking a significant effort to halt a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives in the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC. The deal, brokered with Qatari support and signed at the U.S. State Department, aims to curb support for rebel forces and restore stability, though observers remain cautious about its long-term impact.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who hosted the foreign ministers of both countries at the White House, celebrated the agreement as a diplomatic victory. “Today, the violence and destruction comes to an end, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope and opportunity,” he said. Trump also highlighted potential U.S. access to Congolese mineral rights, describing the day as “wonderful.”
The peace deal follows a resurgence of the M23 rebel group, an ethnic Tutsi militia with alleged ties to Rwanda, that swept through parts of eastern DRC earlier this year, capturing key areas including the strategic city of Goma. While Rwanda has denied direct support for the group, it has consistently called for the disarmament of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia with roots in the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The agreement calls for an end to all forms of state support for armed groups, including the FDLR, and for Rwanda to lift its so-called “defensive measures.” Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe emphasized that neutralizing the FDLR must be a priority. “The irreversible and verifiable end to state support to the FDLR should be the first order of business,” he said.
Despite his support for the deal, Nduhungirehe expressed caution, noting the region’s history of failed accords. “We must acknowledge that there is a great deal of uncertainty in our region, and beyond, because many previous agreements have not been implemented,” he added.
Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stressed the need for the agreement to uphold national sovereignty. “It offers a rare chance to turn the page, not just with words but with real change on the ground. Some wounds will heal, but they will never fully disappear,” she said.
The agreement also outlines the creation of a joint security coordination body and vaguely commits to establishing a regional economic integration framework within three months.
President Trump, who appeared unfamiliar with the historical context of the conflict, alluded to the 1994 genocide by saying, “They were going at it for many years with machetes,” and claimed credit for the peace breakthrough. He told reporters the U.S. would gain “a lot of mineral rights from the Congo,” referring to the country’s vast reserves of cobalt and lithium, key components in electric vehicles and other technologies, currently dominated by Chinese firms.
The deal received international praise. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called it “a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability,” while leaders from Germany and France hailed it as a historic opportunity that must be implemented with care.
However, not all voices welcomed the development. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, renowned for his work supporting survivors of s3xual violence in the DRC, criticized the agreement, arguing it disproportionately benefits Rwanda and the U.S. “It would amount to granting a reward for aggression, legitimising the plundering of Congolese natural resources, and forcing the victim to alienate their national heritage by sacrificing justice,” he said in a statement.
Physicians for Human Rights also raised concerns, pointing out the absence of mechanisms to ensure accountability for human rights violations in the region’s protracted conflict.
While the peace deal marks a potential turning point, its success will depend on consistent implementation, accountability, and whether it delivers meaningful change for those on the ground.
Paul Pogba could not hold back tears on Saturday as he signed a two-year contract with AS Monaco, marking the end of his long exile from football.
The 32-year-old French midfielder has been without a club since Juventus terminated his contract last year following a doping ban.
In August 2023, the World Cup winner was handed a four-year suspension after returning an adverse drugs test, however, that suspension was slashed to just 18 months last October.
Pogba’s ban officially ended earlier this year but his contract with Juventus was mutually terminated before this.
His last match was in September 2023, but now, with Monaco offering him a fresh start, Pogba is ready to reignite his career in Ligue 1.
Paul was visibly emotional as he penned his new deal with AS Monaco.
The video starts with Pogba resting his head on his arm, fighting back tears as he prepares to sign the contract.
After he finally signs on the dotted line, he lowers his head once more, visibly emotional, and is comforted by one of his representatives and AS Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro.
The day before Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett took a highly-criticized personal shot at Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, fellow conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch also sniped at his liberal colleague.
According to a report from Politico on increased tensions within the nation’s highest court, as the 6-3 conservative majority continues to use the “shadow docket” to hand Donald Trump questionable wins, Politico is reporting that Brown Jackson’s opinions, often in dissent, are getting under the skin of conservatives justices.
On Saturday morning, Coney Barrett was called out by a Slate legal analyst for her “arrogant” broadside aimed at Brown Jackson when she dismissively wrote in her majority pro-Trump birthright citizenship ruling, “We will not dwell on Justice Jackson’s argument, which is at odds with more than two centuries’ worth of precedent, not to mention the Constitution itself.”
Politico is reporting that Gorsuch, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by Trump after then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocked President Barack Obama’s appointee, Merrick Garland, from receiving a hearing, also lashed out at Brown Jackson this week.
As Politico’s Josh Gerstein wrote, “Gorsuch had exchanged sharp words [on Thursday] with Jackson — but this time, he was in the majority. Jackson, in an opinion joined by the court’s other two liberals, suggested the conservative majority’s decision allowing South Carolina to exclude Planned Parenthood from the Medicaid program there amounted to a continuation of the long campaign by racists and segregationists in the South to resist federal civil rights laws enacted in the wake of the Civil War.”
With Brown Jackson writing, “A century and a half later, the project of stymying one of the country’s great civil rights laws continues,” Gerstein report,s “Gorsuch, a Trump appointee, dismissed the inflammatory claim out of hand, calling it ‘extravagant.'”
The report adds that Chief Justice John Roberts has been trying to downplay tensions on the court, recently stating, “I’m sure people listening to the news or reading our decisions, particularly decisions that come out in May and June, maybe think, ‘Boy, those people really must hate each other. They must be at hammer and tong the whole time.’”
Donald Trump on Saturday night lamented that Republicans don’t do things like Democrats.
Trump took to Truth Social over the weekend, first lobbing an attack at Democrats without naming them specifically.
“Republicans must remember that they are fighting against a very evil, corrupt and, in many ways, incompetent (Policywise!) group of people, who would rather see our Country ‘go down in flames’ than do the right thing and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote. “The Democrats would LOVE to see the Biggest Tax Hike in History (68%!), No Border Spending (Open Borders!), and a weak, underfunded Military, so we wouldn’t be able to do things like we did just one week ago in Iran.”
Trump then said, “We gave the Dems a Debt Extension because it was the right thing to do, but they won’t do it for us,” before delving into how he thinks the Republicans can learn from the opposing side.
“The one thing they do have is an ability to stick together, and vote as one group (They don’t have GRANDSTANDERS!). They also have House and Senate Rules that give Great Power to their Leaders – Committee Chairmanships, etc.,” Trump wrote. “Republicans don’t have that, have never been able to get it, BUT THEY SHOULD!”
He concluded, “What we do have is wonderful people and phenomenal Policy, and that should win Elections every single time!”
The world’s richest man had some harsh words for Donald Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful” bill on Saturday.
Elon Musk worked with Trump for months after the election, only to have a spectacular blow-up after his exit from the White House. That public fight began due to Musk’s criticism of Trump’s signature bill.
Musk appeared to make up with Trump, and started holding his tongue more. It has been weeks since reporters have had anything to say about Musk criticizing Trump or his legislation.
But Musk took to his own social media platform, X, to complain about the Senate’s version of the bill over the weekend.
“The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country!” Musk wrote. “Utterly insane and destructive.”
He then added, “It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future.”
Musk was responding to a popular X account saying, “The new Senate draft raises taxes on all wind and solar projects that haven’t begun construction today unless they are placed service by end of 2027 and navigate complex, likely unworkable requirements to prove they don’t use a drop of Chinese materials.”
“After that, this bill ADDS A NEW tax on wind and solar projects that can’t prove the same,” the user then added.
The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country!
Utterly insane and destructive. It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future. https://t.co/TZ9w1g7zHF
Actress Jurnee Smollett’s ex-husband, Josiah Bell, is seeking 50% of the actress’s retirement savings, including her Screen Actors Guild (SAG) pension, nearly four years after their divorce. Bell claims he is entitled to a share of the funds accumulated during their marriage from 2010 to 2019.The couple finalized their divorce in August 2021. As part of the settlement, Smollett paid Bell nearly $1 million, according to Essence. Since their separation in 2019, he has also received $7,000 per month in child support and alimony for their son, Hunter Zion Bell.
Under California’s community property laws, assets earned during a marriage are usually split equally. Bell’s filing suggests he believes Smollett’s retirement funds fall under this rule.
The couple married in 2010 after years of friendship and welcomed their son in 2016. They appeared strong publicly for much of their relationship. Smollett once shared in a 2013 interview that their bond was built on deep friendship.
“We were best friends before we started even dating, so we had this really great foundation. I think one of the challenging things about any lasting relationship is that you have to be so vulnerable,” Smullett said to The Hollywood Reporter in March 2013. “I think as human beings we try to hide our flaws and try to present this perfect person, this person we wish we were to our spouse when that causes so many troubles.”
Smollett has not publicly addressed Bell’s request. It remains unclear whether she will contest his request or settle outside of court.
Doris Winters, a 61-year-old woman from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is facing a homicide charge after allegedly shooting her husband during an argument at her apartment. She later told police she shot him because she was “just tired.”
According to FOX 26, the shooting happened around 10 p.m. on May 31 at an apartment near 95th Street and Brown Deer Road. When officers arrived, bystanders pointed out Winters as she walked away from the scene. Police saw her drop a handgun, took her into custody, and secured the weapon.
The victim, 49-year-old Aerion Winters, was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been shot in the back and chest.
According to a witness, he had driven Aerion to the apartment to collect some belongings. Once inside, Doris and Aerion began to argue. The witness said he tried to step in and de-escalate, but Doris grabbed a gun from near the living room table, racked it, and shot Aerion in the back. She then allegedly said, “Get him out of here before I shoot him again.”
Body camera footage captured Doris admitting to the shooting. She was heard saying, “He called me a [expletive] for the last time and I just shot him. I just grabbed my gun and shot him because I’m just tired. I know I shouldn’t have shot him, but I’m just tired.”
At the police station, Winters admitted she shot her husband during the argument, saying she fired when he turned away from her.
Winters is charged with first-degree reckless homicide with a dangerous weapon and remains in custody as the case continues.
Power Is Sweet”: Mzansi Reacts After DA Refuses To Quit GNU Despite Threats
Despite its tough talk and threats of “serious consequences” if President Cyril Ramaphosa failed to remove compromised ministers, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has decided to stay put in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Why the DA Didn’t Quit GNU? Speaking at a media briefing, DA leader John Steenhuisen confirmed the party will not be walking away from the GNU, but said it has withdrawn from the National Dialogue as a sign of protest.
He further announced that the DA will not support any departmental budgets associated with ministers they believe are compromised, naming Thembi Simelane and Nobuhle Nkabane as examples.
Defending the decision, Steenhuisen warned that pulling out of the GNU would have handed an opportunity to “cult-like organisations” such as the EFF and the MK Party. He claimed the collapse of the GNU would have caused “massive economic damage” and left South Africa politically vulnerable.
Mzansi Mocks the DA Social media users weren’t convinced. Many accused the DA of bluffing for attention and not having the courage to follow through. Some said the party was simply clinging to power, while others mocked its dramatic 48-hour ultimatum to the President, which ended with no real consequences.
Here are some of the reactions:
@Kane_GM9:
Expecting DA to live GNU is like waiting for NP to end apartheid voluntarily…it will never happen! Power is sweet.
@Cliff_Hadji:
Blue lights are more addictive than Nyaope. DA is speaking in Tongues today.
@Uncle_Tau:
They’re cowards
@JabulaniShanga2:
So why did they give ultimatum to the president then? I really give up.
Man Stabbed To Death After Beer Snatched In Public Dispute A beer drink turned into bloodshed after a man was killed during a heated altercation over alcohol near school grounds in Mhondoro Ngezi.
Mugove Katsande tragically lost his life on 27 June 2025 following a dispute with another man who allegedly poured away his beer. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the arrest of 37-year-old Tinashe Chamunorwa in connection with the killing.
In a chilling update posted on X, police said the suspect stabbed Katsande in the chest using a Columbia knife during a row that spiralled out of control.
“The ZRP confirms the arrest of Tinashe Chamunorwa (37) in connection with a case of murder which occurred on 27/06/25 near Nyika Secondary School Grounds, Mhondoro Ngezi in which Mugove Katsande died,” said the ZRP.
“The suspect allegedly stabbed the victim with a Columbia knife on the chest following a misunderstanding which rose after the suspect snatched the victim’s beer and poured it on the ground.”
Witnesses watched in horror
The stabbing reportedly happened in full view of onlookers, sending shockwaves through the rural community. According to police, the altercation broke out near Nyika Secondary School Grounds, an area often used for social gatherings.
A resident who declined to be named said the two men had been drinking when tempers flared.
The deceased, Mugove Katsande, is said to have collapsed instantly after being stabbed. He was pronounced dead shortly after.
Police hunt second suspect While Chamunorwa is now in custody, police are still hunting another man in connection with the incident.
“Meanwhile, the ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Vengai Chihiya who is being sought in connection with this case,” said the police in a statement.
They urged members of the public to assist with any leads.
“Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station,” added the ZRP.
Police have not yet confirmed the value of the drink involved in the dispute, but a regular beer in Zimbabwe costs around USD1.00 (approx. ZAR18.00).
Residents in Mhondoro Ngezi have appealed for calm and urged revellers to resolve disputes peacefully.
As investigations continue, Katsande’s family is reportedly preparing to bury their loved one amid grief and unanswered questions.
Zimbabwe’s local currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG or ZWG), recorded a sharp annual inflation surge of 92.5% in June 2025, up by 0.4 percentage points from May, according to the latest data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) on Friday.
While month-on-month inflation in ZiG terms decelerated slightly to 0.3%—down from 0.9% recorded in May—the year-on-year figures revealed a continued upward trajectory in consumer prices, further fuelling public anxiety over the currency’s stability and purchasing power.
“The ZWG year-on-year inflation rate (annual percentage change) for the month of June 2025, as measured by the all-items ZWG Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 92.5%,” Zimstat reported.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has attempted to downplay the implications of the rising annual inflation rate, asserting that it has little to no impact on current price levels or consumers’ day-to-day purchasing ability.
“The current trend in annual inflation is expected to continue up to September 2025 and decline thereafter to align with the current low and stable monthly inflation,” the central bank said in a recent statement. “The current annual inflation will, therefore, not affect consumer purchasing power and value preservation, as inflation impact has already been realized.”
However, critics have challenged the RBZ’s narrative, warning that the persistent inflation surge reflects deeper structural flaws in the economy. Economists and market watchers say rising inflation undermines confidence in the ZiG, despite short-term monetary stability measures.
Meanwhile, inflation measured in US dollar terms showed a mixed picture. The weighted month-on-month inflation rate for June stood at -0.1%, a marginal decline from 0.0% in May. The weighted year-on-year inflation rate, however, stood at a significant 27.1%.
The US dollar inflation rate for June was -0.2%, an increase from the -0.3% recorded in May. On an annual basis, the US$ inflation rate rose to 14.0%, pointing to broad-based price pressures across both currencies.
Zimstat also revealed new poverty benchmarks for the month, with the Food Poverty Line (FPL) for one person pegged at ZWG 874.23 and the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) at ZWG 1,280.05.
The surge in annual inflation comes just three months after the introduction of the ZiG in April, raising questions about the new currency’s durability and the government’s capacity to control runaway prices.
Steenhuisen says Ramaphosa concocted a reason to remove Whitfield, who had travelled to the US without the President’s authorization.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen says the party is withdrawing from the National Dialogue announced recently by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa with immediate effect amid disagreement over the dismissal of a DA deputy minister. However, the party has also announced that it would not be leaving the Government of National Unity (GNU) to avoid what it terms a possible “coalition of chaos.”
The DA leader was addressing the media in Cape Town after a meeting of the party’s Federal Council.
Steenhuisen says Ramaphosa concocted a reason to remove Whitfield, who had travelled to the US without the President’s authorization.
Steenhuisen had earlier said Ramaphosa had 48 hours to fire what he called compromised ministers such as Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane and Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane.
Steenhuisen says Ramaphosa has not abided by the Government of National Unity’s Statement of Intent.
Juju men demonstrate jujulisation, implicates, Munir, Jay Jay
THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court was turned into a cinema hall yesterday after it premiered a thriller of two witch doctors demonstrating how they attempted to harm President Hakainde Hichilema through witchcraft to the police during interrogations.
The video, which held the court spellbound, captured Leonard Phiri, 43, from Sinda, Eastern Province, and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, 42, from Maravia, Mozambique, detailing how they were allegedly hired by former Petauke Central Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Jay Banda, for their dark arts.
Phiri and Candunde stood before the court, charged with professing knowledge of witchcraft and possessing charms before the Lusaka Magistrates Court under Sections 5 and 11(2) of Zambia’s Witchcraft Act, Chapter 90.
The prosecution alleges the duo possessed an array of charms, including a live chameleon, and engaged in supernatural practices with the express intention of causing harm to the Head of State.
Further revelations suggested Emmanuel Jay Banda’s younger brother, Nelson Banda, acted as the intermediary, while former Lumezi MP Munir Zulu allegedly instructed the accused to procure “medicine” for Jay Banda..
Candunde in his demonstration said his job as a witch doctor is to heal the sick and those who might be attacked by witchcraft to get back to normal.
“I also have medicine for good luck in their jobs, marriages and others. If there is a person who is being troubled in life, we offer help. But I don’t have medicine to kill people,” he said.
Candunde further demonstrated to the officers who were interviewing him that each charm has a different meaning.
“This is a tail of a witch doctor, we use it to do our work. It is the respect for the spirit.”
Candunde was seen covering himself in a red cloth and started beating himself with the animal tail demonstrating what he does.
“If someone has bad luck, there is medicine for bathing,” he said.
He demonstrated the usage of different medications that were packed in different types of containers.
He indicated that his medicine is aimed at helping various people to have favours at work, relationships among others.
He also demonstrated a certain medicine he uses to perform traditional tattoos by making a cross on the chest, back and hands of the person in need of help.
“I met the mother of Jay Jay who told me that I should ensure that the President is really gone,” he said.
“What’s the name of the President?” State asked. In response, he said he wasn’t sure but the name sounded something like Chilema.
And another accused person, Phiri, also a witch doctor demonstrated how he uses his charms.
He said he was called by Nason Banda that he needed some medicine to kill someone.
Phiri said he asked him to pay K13,500.
“One day, while waiting for us to do our job, Justen told me that the person we were supposed to kill was the one we saw on the TV.”
“We saw Hakainde Hichilema. He is our President. I just kept quiet,” he said.
Phiri said after a while, the immigration officers arrested them in a Lodge where they were lodging.
Trial continues on July 18, 2025…https://kalemba.news/local/juju-men-demonstrate-jujulisation-implicates-munir-jay-jay/
2026 Prophecy: The Rise of the Kwacha, the Fall of Memory
By Dr Lawrence Mwelwa
I prophesy, and I do not speak of my own accord, but as one who has seen the patterns beneath the patterns. Hear me, O Zambia, for the year 2026 draws near—a year not of ordinary days, but of grand theatre dressed in economic robes. I see it clearly: the Kwacha shall rise. Yes, it shall rise like Lazarus from the tomb of depreciation. Where once it crawled at K27 to the dollar, it shall now walk upright at K18, and some shall say, “Behold, the economy lives!” Yet I warn you—this resurrection shall be temporary, for it is written in the economics of elections: “What goes up without production, shall come down with debt.”
I prophesy a drop in fuel prices. Mark it well. At the pump, men shall rejoice and women shall ululate, saying, “Our prayers have been answered!” But know this: it is not heaven that has answered—it is politics. Subsidies shall sneak in quietly like uninvited guests at a wedding feast. And once the votes are cast, the price shall return with interest, and the nation shall once again ask, “Who bewitched us?”
I see a land of light—no load shedding, no blackouts. People shall iron clothes after 18 hours. Children shall watch cartoons uninterrupted. Even ZESCO shall smile. But this light is not from divine abundance, it is from borrowed energy, delayed maintenance, and a national prayer not to lose elections. And lo, once the ballots are counted, darkness shall remember the address of every home.
I prophesy the painting of roads, the opening of clinics, the launch of long-abandoned projects. Bags of fertilizer shall fall like blessings from campaign helicopters. The youth shall be promised jobs, the farmers shall be promised rains, and civil servants shall be paid on time as if angels were now handling payroll. But I warn you again: the promises of 2026 are often like mangoes in December—rare, sweet, but short-lived.
I prophesy forgetfulness. Yes, a great forgetting shall sweep across the land. The people shall forget the hunger of 2023, the debt of 2024, the taxes of 2025. They shall chant, “This is the leader we need!” And only after the ink dries on the ballot papers shall memory return, saying, “Have we not walked this path before?”
O Zambia, rise in wisdom. Let not the price of bread blind you to the cost of truth. For it is better to vote with open eyes than to celebrate with closed minds. I have spoken. Let he who has ears, hear. Let she who has sense, question. For the prophecy shall come to pass, unless the people awaken.
Disclaimer
This is not a divine prophecy but a prediction based on political patterns
President Hichilema’s Tribal-Victimhood is Off and Dangerous
Oscar Chavula Wrote;
Thinking aloud…
I was brought up in my older brother JB’s home after my father passed away in October of 1981. I spent my childhood, and teenage years in a that same home. Many at times things were alright but there were times when I was made to feel unwanted and despised, I was called names and many at times forgotten.
There were years I didn’t have uniform for the new academic year and I didn’t understand why until years later, I wasnt truly one of them!
I am an Easterner or Tumbuka if that helps and we are deeply patriarchal, so by default, we get to look after nieces, nephews, grandchildren and even non relatives in one home and it doesnt feel any strange to me, it is who we are. I am however, extremely sensitive to partiality or discrimination of any kind either in my home or around me, I can see it from miles away, my policy is always to nip it in the bud as soon at rares it’s ugly head!
I heard P1 the other day speaking to invited CSOs at State House and he spoke about how he is Pariah and went as far as using the word animal on Himself in his Lamentation, he USED extreme language to depict himself as a victim of tribalism… My heart Sunk, I couldn’t believe what he said and the references he used, I found it in bad taste.
I walked in VoltAmp along Chachacha road in Central town, Lusaka in 2011 and found the Owner (a Zambian of Asian Origin) racially abusing an old employee who had made some sort of mistake… my heart hurt but I did tell him after a moment that I will never buy anything from his shop even he was the only supplier of broadcast or electrical equipment and it’s 14 years on now and I have stepped foot in his shop. Partiality can never be excused.
When Nyela and the Former CG of ZRA were caught in such Dog Whistling in a recorded conversation years ago, I personally called it out.
Bill 10 was a mess and everything or anything He (P1) said was scathing to the then PF leadership and he demanded the withdrawal of it in Parliament at every turn. The Bill lamentably failed in Parliament largely due to the pressure of the same CSOs he was meeting the other day. Bill 7 is a sort of Bill 10 somehow and it was bound to attract the same attention if not more especially that it was coming from him, the man who opposed Bill 10 with every might.
Tribalism is a cancer, it divides a people and destroys nations, it must never be left to fester or given oxygen to grow in any way. It is extremely insidious with potential to undermine national unity. It is therefore indefensible for the Head of State to speak in that tone and reference to himself.
HH NOTES PEACEFUL LUMEZI POLLS,CONTRASTS WITH VIOLENCE AND BLOODSHED FIVE YEARS AGO.
He shared……
Fellow Citizens,
Two days ago, the people of Lumezi Constituency voted overwhelmingly for the UPND’s new Member of Parliament, Hon. Lufeyo Ngoma. Further, Tuuwa Ward in Sikoongo District and Fibalala Ward in Milenge District were both won by the UPND
These elections may not have captured widespread attention, precisely because they were peaceful and orderly. This is in stark contrast to the violence and bloodshed that marred similar elections just five years ago.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected officials, and, more importantly, to the voters, for demonstrating that democracy can thrive in an atmosphere of peace and dignity.
We also commend our colleagues in the opposition for their participation. Their engagement reminds us that democracy is not about violence or mudslinging, but about the healthy competition of ideas and solutions that serve the people.
In the end, the greatest winner was democracy itself.
Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia.
THE SIGHT OF A GRIEVING WIDOW IN COURT HAS PIERCED ME
By Bishop Dr. Nelly Chikwanda
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to stay silent in light of what is unfolding in our nation. As citizens and believers, we are called to support the government of the day and to pray for those in authority. That mandate remains. But even within that, there are moments when we must pause, reflect, and ask: Isn’t there a better way?
To see a widow, still dressed in mourning, standing in court before her husband is even buried is deeply unsettling. The state, which should be a source of comfort and strength in her moment of grief, appears instead to be opposing her. Is this the best we can do? Is this the tone we want to set as a nation during such a sensitive time?
This family is mourning. They have lost a husband, a father, a leader, a pillar. The entire nation has also experienced a loss. We should be walking together, not apart. We should be finding ways to support each other, not adding further pain to an already heavy burden.
As someone who not only understands Scripture but has personally walked through the valley of widowhood, the sight of a grieving widow and her children in court has pierced me in a way that words can barely express. It is a pain that lingers and raises the simple, honest question: Isn’t there a better way to handle this?
Surely, there is a more compassionate path. A path that shows empathy, one that upholds justice without wounding the brokenhearted. A path that reflects who we are as a people and who we aspire to be.
May those in leadership find that path. May wisdom, kindness, and unity prevail over legal procedures and political positions. For the sake of the grieving, and for the soul of this nation, we ask again: Isn’t there a better way?
UPND Government Prioritization Does Not Align with Zambian Citizens’ Needs
By Dr. Gabriel Bwalya Nsofwa
While Zambians face significant challenges, including a high cost of living, high unemployment rates, prolonged load shedding, shortages of essential medicines in hospitals, insufficient funds to purchase maize from farmers, and inadequate resources to employ additional medical professionals, the government’s actions do not reflect a sense of urgency to address these pressing issues.
Instead, the government has initiated a constitution amendment process, which is a costly endeavor. The Justice Minister has been traveling throughout the country, incurring significant expenses for taxpayers, to promote a document that does not provide immediate relief to Zambians struggling with economic hardship. The funds allocated to this process could be better utilized to address critical needs, such as purchasing essential medicines for hospitals or acquiring maize from farmers etc. The Minister of Agriculture has stated that the government lacks the necessary funds to purchase all the maize from farmers. It is perplexing that the government did not prioritize these critical areas before embarking on the constitution amendment process. This decision raises concerns that the government’s primary motivation is to consolidate power and extend their stay in office, as they are aware that fair electoral practices would likely result in their defeat.
Furthermore, the government has announced that it lacks the funds to employ volunteer doctors, yet they intend to add almost 100 Members of Parliament to the existing number, an exercise that is more expensive than hiring 300 medical professionals.
In addition, the government has hired lawyers in South Africa to pursue legal action against the widow, children, and relatives of President Edgar Lungu, which is not only a costly endeavor but also raises concerns about empathy and humanity. The resources allocated to this pursuit could be better utilized to address pressing issues facing the nation. This action also places a significant financial burden on the Lungu family during their time of mourning.
It is noteworthy that President HH has chosen not to reside in the State House, instead opting to live in his private residence and incur taxpayer expenses for daily commuting. This decision is inconsistent with the government’s efforts to force the burial of President Lungu at Embassy Park.
Even if the government succeeds in their legal pursuit, it is uncertain whether the family will participate in the funeral proceedings. This raises questions about the dignity and motivations behind the government’s actions.
The government’s claims regarding load shedding have been inconsistent, with both the Minister of Information and the Energy Minister announcing reductions in load shedding hours by June, only to have the opposite occur. The actual load shedding hours have increased, resulting in only five hours of electricity instead of the previously announced seven hours.
While citizens continue to suffer, the government prioritizes the constitution amendment process and the pursuit of legal action against the Lungu family, rather than addressing the pressing needs of the nation. The government’s priorities seem to be focused on maintaining power, rather than alleviating the suffering of Zambian citizens.
It is questionable whether Zambians will reelect the UPND government in 2026. Reflecting on the past, I regret supporting this government in 2021, as they have demonstrated a lack of concern for the welfare of Zambian citizens. I apologize to those who warned me against supporting the UPND while they were in opposition. Your concerns have proven valid, and I have learned a valuable lesson. As the Bemba proverb states, “Ukwali nsoke takwafwile muntu,” which highlights the importance of heeding to people’s voice.
Muhabi Lungu says President Hichilema’s Tribal Remarks Dangerous
I too felt extremely injured at what the President said in this matter. It shows that the president is an extremely vain man with large amounts of hubris and unquantifiable arrogance….and other things which I cannot fully express in public.
For all what he has done and said, I think Sangwa is right about the second term of HH; the people must humble him in 2026
All self interest must be put down by all of us in order to defeat this man. Anyone unwilling to do this is an enemy of the people of Zambia, if you ask me..
RPP REBUKES PF’S DEFIANCE ON FORMER PRESIDENT LUNGU’S BURIAL
By Lukundo Nankamba
Republican Progressive Party -RPP National Women Secretary Simangele Magodi has condemned the recent reported remarks by former Patriotic Front-PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri, saying that the remains of the late former President Edgar Lungu should not be handed over to the government even if the courts rule in favor of it.
Ms. Magodi has described the statement as irresponsible, unlawful, and a clear reflection of the Patriotic Front’s continued disregard for the justice system.
She says such statements do not only undermine the rule of law but also expose the hypocrisy and political manipulation that has surrounded Mr. Lungu in recent years.
Ms. Magodi indicates that it is clear that Mumbi Phiri misled Mr. Lungu, encouraging him to defy the constitutional order and falsely assuring him of a return to the presidency, even after the courts made it clear that he was ineligible.
She says people of Zambia deserve the right to mourn and give a dignified, national farewell to a former head of state free from political games and selfish agendas and has called upon all Zambians to reject this reckless behaviour and stand in defence of the rule of law, unity, and respect for national institutions.
I SAW A CREATURE CRAW OUT OF A WOMAN IN A NIGHTCLUB SAYS GOSPEL SINGER
CHILESHE Bwalya a LUSAKA based gospel singer says she has been one to shy away from sharing her stories, but even she could hardly believe what she saw that night.
While celebrating her birthday at a nightclub in Northmead, she noticed a woman at a nearby table.
Moments later, she witnessed a creature-like figure crawl out of the woman and sit beside her.
Chileshe says she wasn’t drunk, but was completely sober when this was happening because she had quit drinking alcohol a year earlier.
Chileshe says the creature mirrored the woman’s every movement, if it picked up a glass, the woman did the same.
Then, three men entered the club, and she describes how, with the last man, something like a ‘matrix’ movement.
SOCIALIST PARTY OUTLINES VISION FOR PEASANT AGRICULTURE REFORM
Lusaka… Saturday June 28, 2025 — The Socialist Party (SP) has reiterated its commitment to transforming peasant agriculture into a cornerstone of national economic development when elected into power next year.
In a statement delivered by Mr. Graster Mundi, the party’s National Coordinator for Agroecology, the Socialist Party emphasized the urgent need to rethink how Zambia treats peasant farming.
Mr. Mundi stated that over 85% of the country’s workforce is engaged in peasant agriculture, yet their contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remains below 5%.
He described this as “an embarrassing contradiction” that successive governments have consistently failed to address.
He explained that while the party categorizes agriculture into commercial and peasant sectors, its primary concern lies with the peasant category due to its massive human resource potential.
According to him, peasant farming should not be seen as a secondary component of economic activity, but rather as a potential driver of national industrialization.
The Socialist Party, he said, believes that the solution lies in the small-scale industrialization of peasant farming.
Mr. Mundi stressed that by equipping peasant farmers-organized in cooperatives-with simple machinery and the capacity to process, package, and market their own products, the agricultural sector could finance critical social sectors such as health and education.
Highlighting specific examples, he said cassava continues to be consumed in its raw form despite having the potential for multiple by-products such as cakes, biscuits, and sweets, which could generate higher income for farmers.
He added that other crops like cotton, sunflower, groundnuts, and various fruits could also benefit from value addition.
Mr. Mundi asserted that under a Socialist government, no crop produced by peasants would leave its community of origin without undergoing value addition.
He stated that this would mark a significant step towards national industrialization and ensure that peasant farmers participate fully in the real economy-from production to consumption.
Beyond the real economy, the party also envisions a financial model that allows peasant farmers to establish and operate their own community banks.
Mr. Mundi emphasized the importance of financial inclusion, adding that such banks would give farmers control over their wealth, provided they receive the necessary training in cooperative finance management.
He concluded by saying that once these strategies are implemented, the country’s GDP would see a notable transformation, with peasant farmers becoming national heroes.
If professional or technical expertise is needed along the way, he suggested that there should be no hesitation in hiring skilled personnel.
Mr. Mundi also hinted that the party would continue sharing its agricultural vision in more practical and accessible terms, acknowledging the diverse and interlinked nature of agriculture with other sectors such as education and health.
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON THE REMOVAL OF DEPUTY MINISTER WHITFIELD
Friday, 27 June 2025
On 25 June 2025, I removed Mr Andrew Whitfield from the position of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition in terms of section 93 (1) of the Constitution.
It is not common practice for the President of the Republic of South Africa to provide reasons either for the appointment or dismissal of Members of the Executive. However, due to several unfortunate statements and outright distortions by a number of people, especially Mr John Steenhuisen and Mr Whitfield himself, it is necessary for me to make a public statement on the circumstances surrounding Mr Whitfield’s removal.
Mr Whitfield was removed as a Deputy Minister because he undertook an international visit without the permission of the President.
His travel to the United States was a clear violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive. This requirement is known to all Ministers and Deputy Ministers. These rules and established practices were expressly communicated to all members of the Executive during the induction sessions at the commencement of the 7th administration.
These rules and practices were repeated in Cabinet in March this year by me as President. All international travel by members of the executive must always be undertaken with the express permission of the President.
This practice is rigorously observed and adhered to by all members of the Executive. However, Mr Whitfield deliberately chose to violate this rule and practice.
Prior to the removal of Mr Whitfield, I informed Minister John Steenhuisen as the leader of the Democratic Alliance that I had decided to remove Mr Whitfield from his position as Deputy Minister and that I expect him to present to me for approval a replacement for Mr Whitfield from his party as the DA is entitled to a Deputy Minister as agreed.
In that discussion, Mr Steenhuisen informed me that Mr Whitfield had been expecting that he may be dismissed on the grounds that he had undertaken an international trip without the President’s permission.
This expectation, along with a perfunctory letter of apology that Mr Whitfield wrote to me following his travel to the USA without the required permission, indicated that he was aware that his actions had violated the rules and established practices governing the conduct of Members of the Executive.
During my discussion with Mr Steenhuisen, he asked me if there was precedent for the action that I intended to take in relation to Mr Whitfield. I informed him that there was indeed prior precedent.
I told him that in 1995, President Nelson Mandela dismissed the late Deputy Minister Madikizela-Mandela and that in 2007 President Thabo Mbeki dismissed then Deputy Minister Nosizwe Madlala-Routledge on the grounds of undertaking international travel without permission.
Given all these circumstances there is consequently no reasonable grounds for Mr Steenhuisen and the Democratic Alliance to issue ultimatums and threats when the President exercises his constitutional prerogative and responsibility. Nor are there any grounds to try link this with matters that have no bearing on the conduct of the former Deputy Minister.
There is really no basis for suggestions that the dismissal of the former Deputy Minister is related to any other reason than his failure to receive permission to travel and adhere to the rules and established practices expected of members of the Executive of the Republic of South Africa.
While Mr Steenhuisen asked that he be allowed to brief the Democratic Alliance Federal Executive prior to the removal letter being delivered to Mr Whitfield, this would have had no bearing on my decision. It is the responsibility and the prerogative of the President to determine the timing and manner of the appointment and removal of Members of the Executive.
I am amazed at Mr Steenhuisen’s intemperate reaction to the removal of Mr Whitfield. He knows very well that the blatant disregard of the rules and practices that govern the international travel of members of the executive is a serious violation that should not be permitted.
Let it be clear that the President shall not yield to threats and ultimatums, especially coming from members of the Executive that he has the prerogative to appoint in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Ramaphosa cancels Spain trip as GNU faces collapse over DA ultimatum
President Cyril Ramaphosa abruptly canceled a planned trip to Spain today amid a deepening crisis within Government of National Unity (GNU).
The move comes as the Democratic Alliance (DA), threatens to exit the GNU following a heated dispute over ministerial accountability.
Tensions escalated after Ramaphosa sacked DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield for an unauthorized trip to the United States earlier this year.
In response, the DA issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding the removal of ANC ministers, including Thembi Simelane and Nobuhle Nkabane, implicated in corruption allegations.
The DA accused Ramaphosa of applying double standards, warning that failure to act could lead to their withdrawal from the coalition.“The president has chosen to remain in the country to monitor developments,” said Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, confirming the cancellation.
The DA is set to announce its decision at a press conference now at 3 PM, with speculation rife that their exit could destabilize the GNU.
As the nation awaits the DA’s next move, all eyes are on Pretoria for what could be a defining moment in South Africa’s political landscape.
ANC disciplinary committee clears Gigaba, Kodwa, Mahlobo, and Frolick of State Capture misconduct
The African National Congress (ANC) disciplinary committee has cleared former ministers Malusi Gigaba, Zizi Kodwa, David Mahlobo, and ANC MP Cedric Frolick of misconduct charges related to their alleged involvement in State Capture.
The four faced accusations of violating ANC rule 25.17.1, which pertains to conduct that brings the party into disrepute, stemming from their implicated roles in the Zondo Commission’s findings on widespread corruption and mismanagement during the State Capture era.
Specifically, Malusi Gigaba, former Minister of Public Enterprises, was accused of facilitating Gupta-linked business dealings. Zizi Kodwa, former Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, faced allegations of improper financial ties. David Mahlobo, ex-State Security Minister, was linked to undue influence in state security matters, while Cedric Frolick, a senior ANC MP, was accused of enabling questionable parliamentary processes.
These allegations tied them to the broader State Capture scandal involving the Gupta family’s undue influence over state institutions.
I would have said more things if Edgar Lungu had done what Hakainde Hichilema has done which is deceiving the nation by pretending to graciously ask the withdrawal of the constitutional amendment bill in Parliament, when in reality, he only did so because he knew the Constitutional Court was about to nullify his process (which had ignored leading civil society organizations, church bodies, and the legal fraternity in Zambia.
If it was Edgar Lungu doing what Hakainde has done, I would have called him out as a spineless leader lacking discernment.
We love Hakainde Hichilema as people who voted for him, but the man is excessively deceptive. Not long ago, he claimed he never cancelled national mourning but merely “extended” it, when in truth, he had announced the termination of national mourning to allow “normalcy to prevail,” stating that the family of former President Edgar Lungu (ECL) could proceed with funeral arrangements as they wished.
Then, on the day of the burial—when the widow and children were fully prepared to lay their husband and father to rest—Hichilema committed one of the most shocking and culturally insensitive acts of deception: dragging the grieving widow and children to court in South Africa to halt the burial. What kind of sensible leader does such a thing?
We love and support Hakainde Hichilema, but he is dragging the nation into disgrace. He must reflect on his actions; otherwise, even his staunch supporters will find it difficult to blindly follow and defend his deceptive and insensitive behaviours
The occult, the president, and the body: Understanding Zambia’s legal action against the Lungu family
By Sishuwa Sishuwa
June 27, 2025
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:
1. An office
2. One personal secretary
3. Three security persons.
4. Three cars, with free maintenance, and petrol entitlement to the extent determined by the Cabinet, but only one car for the surviving spouse.
5. Three drivers, but only one for the surviving spouse.
6. One Administrative Assistant, who shall be at the level of Deputy Permanent Secretary.
7. Three house employees, which number may be increased by Cabinet.
8. A diplomatic passport for the former President and his spouse.
9. 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.
10. Medical insurance for the former President and his spouse.
11. In each year, one return air ticket for the former President and one for his spouse.
12. 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, sh
We are ready to face government in court, even if it takes a year – Makebi
THE family of former president Edgar Lungu has vowed to challenge government in court over the burial of the former president, even if it takes a year.
Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu said the matter in court should only be seen as a delay and not as a way of convincing the family to bury him with full honours.
Zulu added that the family will stay in South Africa and fight for Lungu’s body.
“The matter in court is only a delayment, a delayment that will save the good of the country and family and I implore that you do not despair,” said
“The family will stay here and fight. The fights would [determine] whether the rights of the family can be superseded by public policy that is not law.”
He stated that by the time Lungu will be buried, the truth must be told as Zulu claimed the former Head of State was victimised by government for four years.
“At an appropriate time of putting Lungu to the ground. The truth must be told that that innocent family has been victimised for four years. Can you not endure a year and speak truth to power? Will you not? Can you not? Should you not?,” said Zulu.
Lungu Did Not Die from Surgical Complications – Dr. Sishuwa
Prominent historian Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa has clarified that former president Edgar Lungu did not die from complications related to surgery, as some public speculation has suggested.
Dr. Sishuwa explained that Lungu had initially been cleared to return to Zambia by a team of doctors. However, shortly after, another hospital recommended a minor surgical procedure.
“The operation was conducted on a Saturday, lasted nearly seven hours, and was successful,” Dr. Sishuwa said. “There were no complications during the surgery itself.”
According to him, the late president later developed an infection that affected his breathing, which ultimately led to his death. The origin of the infection remains unclear.
“It’s not known how he contracted the infection,” Sishuwa noted. “But it’s unlikely to have come from any visitors, as he had none during the small window of vulnerability following the procedure.”
Dr. Sishuwa’s remarks appear aimed at dispelling misinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding Lungu’s death, which has become the subject of intense public interest and political tension.
I TRIED RECONCILING HICHILEMA, LUNGU, SINCE 2021, BUT GOT BURNT IN THE PROCESS – DR HAABAZOKA
Former Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) president Lubinda Haabazoka has revealed his attempts to facilitate reconciliation between former late president Edgar Lungu and his predecessor President Hakainde Hichilema, which ultimately ended in disappointment.
“I have tried my best on several occasions since 2021 to reconcile both parties and I only got burnt in the process,” he recounted.
Dr Haabazoka remarked that it seems that in Zambian politics, conflict is preferable to harmony and those who try to mediate often find themselves caught in the crossfire.
Dr Haabazoka implored government to set aside legal disputes in the interest of respecting Lungu’s memory and laying him to rest without any further delay.
He acknowledged that politics can be a fierce battleground but now, there is need to say goodbye to the former leader, who is also a friend and father to many.
“Let’s put aside our disagreements and focus on paying our respects. We can return to the political arena later but for now, let’s come together as a nation and give President Lungu the dignified farewell he deserves,” he stated.
“Withdraw all the court cases and let Lungu be buried wherever possible. This is not a matter of law but that of humanity.”
Dr Haabazoka called for both sides of the political spectrum to look beyond short-term gains and prioritise national healing and reconciliation.
“There are moments when you have to be willing to concede a battle in order to win the larger war. Let us remember that the long-term well-being of our country is far more important than a single legal victory,” Dr Haabazoka noted.
He urged government to prioritise compassion and humanity over legal battles, calling for former first lady, Esther Lungu’s needs to be put at the forefront and for the nation to focus on actions that would support her in this difficult time.
“As we come together to mourn the loss of our former leader, let us also recognize the grief of his widow. She deserves the chance to bury her husband with dignity and respect.”
Dr Haabazoka also appealed for emotional restraint and sober reflection from all parties involved.
“It is vital for all parties to remain calm and level-headed, this is not a time for political squabbles or power struggles. Funerals have always been a symbol of unity and reconciliation in African cultures, a time for families to come together in grief and remember the life of their loved one.”
He further called for a moment of reflection among all Zambians, regardless of political affiliation.
“We are courting a curse upon our nation if we continue on our present course. How can we live with ourselves when our actions cause so much suffering to others? The turmoil we witness is not simply the result of political conflict, but of a loss of empathy and basic humanity,” he added.
*Sishuwa’s Poisoned Pen, From Professor to Prophet of Doom*
*By Magret Mwanza*
There comes a time when the pursuit of political relevance turns into intellectual recklessness. That time, for Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa, has unfortunately arrived. His latest piece, _“The Occult, the President, and the Body,”_ published in The Mast on 27th June 2025, is not only a descent into superstition and baseless conjecture, but a grotesque abuse of academic authority.
It exposes not the government, but Sishuwa himself as a man consumed by an unrelenting hatred for President Hakainde Hichilema, now willing to flirt with the absurd in a desperate bid to demonize a man he cannot defeat through facts.
Dr. Sishuwa has long positioned himself as an independent public intellectual. But independence must never be mistaken for indifference to truth or intoxication with bitterness. What he offers in this article is not analysis, but a dangerous cocktail of conspiracy theory, pseudo-sociology, and personal resentment.
To suggest, repeatedly and shamelessly that President Hichilema seeks access to the late President Lungu’s body for “occult purposes” is both defamatory and intellectually bankrupt. It is an assault on reason and decency. Zambia is a constitutional democracy, not a Nollywood script, and our people deserve discourse rooted in evidence and not folklore wrapped in a scholar’s gown.
Let us be unequivocal, President Hichilema is an ordained elder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His life, both public and private, has consistently reflected the core Christian values of integrity, restraint, and respect for human dignity. *The SDA doctrine does not and has never entertained superstition, witchcraft, or occultism. It is rooted in the Bible, the Ten Commandments, and the coming of Christ not in ancestral rituals or the manipulation of dead bodies.*
It is therefore beyond offensive for a man of Sishuwa’s academic stature to lend credibility to unsubstantiated fears rooted in rumour, and worse still, to frame those hallucinations as analytical insight. His role, if he still wishes to wear the title of scholar, is to educate and clarify, not to fan flames of ignorance and cultural paranoia.
What is even more disturbing is the timing and context of his attack. Zambia lost a former Head of State. In times of national grief, unity should be the order of the day not morbid speculations designed to undermine the sitting President and ferment public suspicion.
The government, through the Attorney General, approached the courts of South Africa to prevent a secretive burial of a man who regardless of political differences served as the sixth President of the Republic of Zambia. That decision was rooted in three things, the need for national closure, constitutional responsibility, and historical precedent. That is what responsible governance looks like.
Instead of engaging with these legal and political realities, Sishuwa spirals into accusations that border on libel. His suggestion that President Hichilema’s refusal to pledge staying away from the funeral is evidence of a desire to collect body parts for rituals is as ridiculous as it is dangerous.
One wonders what Sishuwa would have said if HH had opted to ignore the funeral altogether, likely, that he was being petty and disrespectful.
This obsessive hatred of President Hichilema has reached levels that border on derangement. No president in the history of Zambia has been subjected to this degree of sustained malice dressed in academic robes. But what Sishuwa forgets is this. in his zeal to demonize HH, he is slowly turning himself into a parody of the very objectivity he once championed.
What is clear from Sishuwa’s article is that it has less to do with Edgar Lungu’s death and everything to do with his own political frustrations. The tragic irony is that while he accuses the state of politicizing a burial, it is he who has politicized it the most, transforming it into a platform for spiritual smear, mythological warfare, and political blackmail.
President Hichilema is not perfect. No leader is. But to accuse him of pursuing access to a corpse for occult protection is an unforgivable insult, not just to him, but to the intelligence of the Zambian people. Our democracy must be defended by truth, not drowned in the murky waters of superstition.
To Dr. Sishuwa, I offer one final thought, hatred disguised as analysis is still hatred. And if your objective is to destabilize Zambia through such vile insinuations, you will ultimately fail, not because of government resistance, but because truth and decency will always prevail over darkness and deceit.
Let the courts decide on the legality of the State’s actions, not urban legends. And let Zambians remember that no one who believes in Christ and walks in the light of truth as President Hichilema does or can be found trafficking in the shadows of the occult.
Tonse Alliance National Youth Chairperson Celestine Mukandila has declared the controversial Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 “dead and buried,” accusing President Hakainde Hichilema of making a last-minute political retreat to avoid a court embarrassment.
Speaking after the Constitutional Court struck down the government’s amendment process for lacking wide public consultation, Mukandila blasted the President’s timing, calling it a “shameful coincidence.”
“How does the President withdraw a bill just a day before the Constitutional Court rules it unconstitutional? Shame on you, Mr. President. The timing leaves too many questions,” he said.
Mukandila, one of the petitioners who challenged the process, said the court’s decision vindicates months of advocacy against what he termed an elitist and exclusionary approach to constitutional reform.
“The government bypassed the people. My grandfather in Bweengwa was not consulted. Chiefs weren’t consulted. The people were ignored,” he said. “This Constitution belongs to the Zambian people not the cabinet.”
In a scathing critique, Mukandila accused the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of attempting to defend a failed process.
“They’ve been justifying incompetence. The court has now spoken clearly: no constitutional amendment can proceed without meaningful, broad-based consultation.”
Referencing page J24 of the court’s judgment, he said the claim that the amendments were “non-contentious” was rejected outright.
“Even so-called non-contentious issues can alter the Constitution fundamentally. That’s why the Court insists on a people-driven process,” he noted.
Mukandila warned the UPND government against reviving Bill 7 or sneaking it back under a different name.
“Bill 7 is dead. If the government wants to amend the Constitution, they must start afresh with a new process, a new bill, and real consultation. Not backroom deals and executive shortcuts.”
He praised the Constitutional Court for delivering what he called a “landmark ruling for democracy,” saying it proves the judiciary still has a spine.
“This was never about politics it was about protecting the Constitution. And yes, I’ll defend it with my life if I have to.”
As the dust settles, Mukandila urged all stakeholders to seize the moment and push for a transparent, inclusive constitution-making process.
“This is a reset button. Let’s not waste it,” he said.
HAKAINDE AKAMBA LATE ON BILL NO. 7, SAYS MUKANDILA
…as he calls on the UPND government to respect the Con-Court judgment
Lusaka… Friday June 27, 2025 – Lusaka Lawyer Celestine Mambula Mukandila says the people of Zambia will not allow anyone to vilify the current Constitution of Zambia to suit their personal interests.
Mr Mukandila has also welcomed the judgment of the Constitutional Court saying he hopes the UPND government will respect the judgment of the court.
The Constitutional Court, has today, by a decision of the majority, declared the current constitution making process unconstitutional for lack of a structured and wide consultative process.
Addressing journalists in Lusaka today, Mr Mukandila, who is also Tonse Alliance National Youth Chairperson, wondered the coincidence of the court’s ruling a day after President Hakainde Hichilema called for a deferment of the Bill.
“Today, we are faced with a very sofiscated situation where a President withdraws a bill a day before the judgment is read, what a coincidence and I say shame on you Mr President. This coincidence leaves much to be desired. This is a time for this country and the government to undertake a self introspection and see the people that surround you,” he said.
“Today in the morning, I saw the Minister of Justice and the Solicitor General trying to justify their incompetence. But all we can say is that this judgment speaks to what the people of Zambia want. It speaks to the protection and defense of Zambia’s democracy. We thank the Constitutional Court for the magnanimity of coming up with this judgement.”
He emphasized the need to protect and defend the constitution from any form of manipulation.
“I shall protect this constitution even if it means doing so with my life. We will not allow anyone to vilify this Constitution, at least not under my watch. If anyone in this government wants to abrogate the constitution provisions at will they must know that we shall take all legal avenues,” he added.
“I hope that the government will respect the judgment of the Constitutional Court. What this simply means is that the so called Bill No. 7 will no longer be there, it is dead. We must go back to the people if the government wants to amend the constitution for wider consultations.”
Mr Mukandila said from inception, a lot of stakeholders were against this bill for lack of wider consultations.
“Country men and women, the judgment we have today speaks to the fight and the zeal that we have to ensure that democracy is protected. This judgment speaks to the fact that we are here to protect the constitution of the Republic of Zambia. We are on record indicating to this government that the process they had undertaken was fraud and did not speak to the aspirations of the people of Zambia,” said Mr Mukandila.
“And of course, when we decided to take this matter to court, I know most people thought it was a mere exercise. But at last we have been vindicated as the Constitutional Court has ruled with us and in favor of our petition indicating that the process that this government undertook was not the correct one because it was not inclusive. My grañdfather was not consulted in the village, in Bweengwa, the chief there was not consulted. Now what we need to do is to come up with a constitution that will speak to the aspirations of the Zambian people. And not where we have individuals sitting in cabinet and taking whatever drink they are taking and decide that this is what we will give the people of Zambia, no.”
The Tonse Alliance National Youth Chairperson further said the constitution of Zambia should contain what the people want.
“We indicated that the constitution should contain what the people want. We indicated that if anyone feels there are lacunas in the constitution, they must take those provisions to the Constitutional Court for interpretation. But alas our colleagues did not listen,” he concluded.
SANGWA CALLS FOR PERMANENT WITHDRAWAL OF BILL 7. Constitutional Lawyer John Sangwa says while the deferral of the constitution amendment Bill number 7 of 2025 by President Hakainde Hichilema to allow further consultation is welcome, the bill should be withdrawn permanently without compromise.
Mr. Sangwa claims that the deferral does not answer the constitutional violations already committed by advancing the bill and does not resolve the breach of public trust that its process represents.
Speaking during a Public Forum on the Constitutional Reform Process, Mr. Sangwa warned against applying double standards stating that the same way Bill 10 was rejected under President Lungu for undermining constitutionalism, Bill 7 should be rejected.
He argues that Bill 7 proposes sweeping changes that undermine democratic safeguards, silence voters and centralize power.
Mr. Sangwa has since charged that the Bill seeks among other goals to strip voters of power by allowing political parties and not citizens to fill parliamentary vacancies which he says is a direct attack on electoral sovereignty and voter choice.
Meanwhile, Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) President Lungusani Zulu says the deferral of the bill by President Hichilema is commendable and a positive development.
Mr. Zulu says the move presents citizens a great opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on any reforms to the supreme law of the country, but urged that the consultations should be based on genuine, broad-based stakeholder consensus.
FORMER Attorney General Musa Mwenye has urged Justice minister Princess Kasune, Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha and Zambia’s High Commissioner to Australia Elias Munshya to work towards enacting progressive as opposed to the divisive Bill 7.
And the PF argued that they will not fall for President Hakainde Hichilema’s gimmick, while urging him to stop the victimhood of using hailing “from a certain region” as the reason people have rejected the bill.
TIZ said they recognised the positive step but at the same time remain cautious about how this will now play out.
In his remarks following President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive to Kasune to defer Bill 7 for to allow more consultations, Mwenye commended the President, welcoming the move as progressive.
Lunte MP Slams Government Over Bill 7 describing it as “Deception and Maladministration”
LUSAKA – June 27, 2025
Lunte Member of Parliament has issued a blistering critique of the UPND-led government over the handling of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, calling the process “deceptive,” “inept,” and an example of “unparalleled maladministration.”
In a statement released on June 27, the MP argued that the legislative process surrounding Bill 7 has descended into constitutional confusion and executive overreach, after President Hakainde Hichilema publicly directed the Minister of Justice to defer the Bill despite it already having progressed through significant parliamentary stages, including First Reading and referral to a Select Committee.
“The president publicly advises the Minister of Justice to defer the Bill. But the Bill has already moved past all Executive stages. It has reached the National Assembly,” the MP noted, describing the move as a “total deception” and a dangerous entanglement of executive interference in legislative procedures.
The lawmaker stressed that the executive cannot lawfully amend a Bill that is already at the committee stage in Parliament. According to the MP, consultations at this point are not only meaningless but also a misuse of public funds, especially in light of the country’s debt-driven budget.
“Once the president’s advice to proceed comes, Parliament will just reignite the already started process. It will be the same Bill, the same Select Committee. What are these consultations for?” the MP asked.
The Lunte MP called for an immediate withdrawal of the current Bill, stating that the only legitimate path forward is to begin afresh with broader public input and transparent processes.
“The only way a new Bill can arise at this stage is by withdrawing the current Bill… Then proceed with a new, acceptable Bill for enactment. Deception cannot get support from some of us,” he said, adding that the current trajectory undermines the integrity of constitutional reform.
In a striking parallel drawn in the same statement, the MP referenced the ongoing controversy surrounding the burial of former President Edgar Lungu. He criticized the government’s legal action against Lungu’s widow and children, claiming it contradicts the earlier decision to cancel the state funeral in order to prevent “indefinite national mourning.”
“This type of lack of clarity whereby today you cancel the state funeral and the following day sue the widow and orphans to stop them from burying is not the best model for handling constitutional amendments,” he said.
The MP concluded his statement with a call for simplicity and patriotism in the legislative process, saying: “Let us give a befitting process to the constitutional amendment. No one is an enemy to it. Restoring everything patriotic.”
The critique is the latest in a growing wave of opposition to Bill 7 and adds further pressure on the UPND administration to clarify its stance and approach to constitutional reform. The government has not yet officially responded to the MP’s remarks.
UPND ACCUSES PF POLITICIANS OF EXPLOITING LUNGU’S DEATH FOR POLITICAL GAIN
Lusaka – June 27, 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.
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.
GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION OF DELAYING ECL’s FUNERAL OR BURIAL- VP NALUMANGO
By: Sun FM TV Reporter
Vice President Mutale Nalumango has reaffirmed that the government has no intention of delaying the funeral or burial of the late sixth Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and is working to ensure he is laid to rest with dignity in Zambia.
Mrs. Nalumango made the remarks in Parliament during the Vice President’s question and answer session, following public concern over a legal petition filed by Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha in a South African court.
The petition seeks to prevent Mr. Lungu’s burial in South Africa, a move that has since suspended the burial process.
She explained that the matter was escalated to the courts after the government and the Lungu family failed to reach an agreement on burial arrangements.
However, she stressed that government’s position remains clear — that President Lungu must be buried on Zambian soil, in recognition of his service and stature.
Mrs. Nalumango said the state is doing everything possible to ensure that the late president is given a dignified and appropriate burial, adding that he was not an ordinary citizen, for he led the nation.
She was responding to a question from Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa, who queried why the government appeared to be prolonging the funeral process.
UPND WELCOMES CONCOURT RULING SUPPORTING DEFERRAL OF CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL FOR BROADER CONSULTATION
Lusaka, June 28, 2025 — The United Party for National Development (UPND) has welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling affirming the decision by President Hakainde Hichilema and his Cabinet to defer Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 to allow for broader national consultation and consensus-building.
In a statement, UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe praised the court’s recognition of the government’s approach, describing it as a victory for participatory democracy and an endorsement of the President’s leadership style that values inclusivity and dialogue.
“We commend the Constitutional Court for its ruling which aligns with President Hichilema’s commitment to ensuring that the constitution-making process reflects the will of the people,” Mr. Simuuwe said. “This is a clear demonstration of the President’s willingness to listen, consult, and put national unity first.”
Mr. Simuuwe further thanked President Hichilema for opening the doors of State House to key stakeholders, including senior representatives from the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), and leading civil society organizations such as the Law Association of Zambia and Chapter One Foundation.
He noted that the President had responded swiftly to the submissions from civil society organizations and stakeholders who urged a deferral of the Bill to create space for meaningful dialogue and consensus.
“This reaffirms President Hichilema’s commitment to open, inclusive governance. He is leading by example in ensuring that constitutional reform is one anchored on broad participation of all Zambians,” Mr. Simuuwe said.
He also commended the President’s responsiveness to public concerns over the NGO Bill and the recently enacted Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, highlighting this as further evidence of the government’s willingness to work with civil society to improve democratic governance.
“The constitution belongs to the people of Zambia. Our collective goal must be to deepen our democracy, protect rights, and promote the inclusion of all groups, particularly the marginalized,” Mr. Simuuwe said.
He emphasized the importance of developing a broad-based and transparent roadmap that will guide the constitutional review process and foster national development through cooperation between government, civil society, and faith-based organizations.
“Our aim is to build a stronger, more democratic Zambia, together,” Mr. Simuuwe added.
Incentives to the Mining Sector Robbing Government of Domestic Revenue
Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba Wrote;
President Hakainde Hichilema hosted Chief Executive Officers from the Banking and Financial Sector and claimed among other things, that tax revenue from the mining sector had grown with the sector paying $75million to the Treasury.
He denied that tax and other incentives have been given to the sector taking the time to praise First Quantum Minerals, the largest tax payer in the country, as an example.
Revenue has dropped from a record USD 1.9 billion, to about $300million a year according to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
President Hichilema’s Tax Incentives and other Decisions Benefiting Mine Houses.since 2021.
●Tax Relief:
Mineral royalty deductibility: In 2022, the government made mining royalties tax-deductible from corporate income tax, reducing the overall tax burden on mining companies. This plunged tax revenue to Government from $1billion a year to $300million.
● Reduced Property Transfer Tax: The property transfer tax on mining rights was lowered from 10% to 7.5% to encourage mergers and acquisitions.
●Extended Loss Carry Forward: The period for carrying forward mining losses was extended from 5 to 10 years.
● Unrestricted Loss Offsetting: Restrictions on offsetting losses against profits for mines with common ownership were removed, allowing for 100% loss offset.
● Sliding Royalty Rate: A sliding scale royalty system was introduced to adjust the effective tax rate at higher copper prices.
● Duty-free importation: Capital equipment and utility vehicles can be imported duty-free, with capital allowances increased to 100%.
● Input tax claim: Exploration companies can claim input tax for five years on pre-production expenditure.
● Zero-rated export products: Mining products for export are zero-rated for tax purposes.
Decisions Robbing Revenue
ZCCM-IH’s 20% shareholding in Kansanshi Mining Plc was converted to a 3.1% gross revenue royalty right robbing the company of its shareholder value, decisions and dividend benefits.
Government claimed that this move helped move opportunities from unpredictable dividends to guaranteed royalties. Government also claimed that the previous dividend model meant that ZCCM-IH’s income was contingent on the mine’s profitability and dividend declarations, which were allegedly often unpredictable.
This means that instead of receiving dividends based on the profits of the Kansanshi mine, ZCCM-IH would now receive a guaranteed quarterly royalty payment equivalent to 3.1% of the mine’s total revenue Government also abandoned court and arbitration process to recover $2.5billion illegally obtained and externalised by First Quantum from Kansanshi Copper and Gold Mine.
President Hichilema has returned Konkola Copper Mines to Vedanta Resources without guaranteeing or disclosing how Vedanta will pay and clear over $1.5billion owed to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), ZESCO, NAPSA and other entities.
Further a forensic audit conducted in 2015 revealed the Indian natural resources company failed to pay taxes for over 15 years, engaged in mining practices that degraded the mine assets and engaged in extensive loan spree staking the mine asssets in the process and failed to pay its tax obligations, meet utility bills to ZESCO and failed to pay suppliers and contractors.
President Hichilema has stated that Zambia “will not mine in courts of law” but resolve and end all legal disputes affecting Kansanshi and (KCM) but this has come at the expense of robbing Government of significant domestic revenue.
Lets take a brief look at revenue collected by Government between 2019-2022 when policies of the previous government were in place.
2019:
● First Quantum Minerals (FQM) contributed over ZMW 9 billion to the Zambian Revenue Authority. ● Mineral royalty tax accounted for 29 percent of total mining revenue, import VAT for 21 percent, PAYE 16 percent, company income tax 13 percent, and VAT 6 percent.
●Copper production decreased by 7.60% to 796,430 metric tons.
2020:
●The mining and quarrying sector accounted for 15.3% of Zambia’s nominal GDP. ●The sector contributed 31.4% of all Government revenues, amounting to ZMW 25 billion. ●Mining accounted for 79.5% of the country’s exports.
●Copper production increased by 10.75% to 882,061 metric tons.
2021:
●The mining and quarrying sector accounted for 19.4% of Zambia’s nominal GDP. Mining accounted for over 70% of foreign exchange earnings.
●Copper production decreased by 8.97% to 802,967 metric tons.
●First Quantum Minerals contributed 61% of Zambia’s mining income.
● Mining companies’ total tax contribution was K6.4 billion in mineral royalty and K5.3 billion in mining company tax.
●The total tax contribution by the mining companies was K11.7 billion (USD 682 million) in 2021, and this was an 11% increase compared to 2020.
●In 2022, Zambia’s mining sector generated a record K43.3 billion in tax revenue, a 11% increase compared to the K39 billion collected in 2021.
