Valentine’s “Cash Bouquets” are Illegal: Botswana Central Bank
The Bank of Botswana has issued a stern warning against the growing trend of turning banknotes into Valentine’s Day “cash bouquets” and decorative money displays.
In a notice released on February 12, the central bank said it has observed an increase in pula notes being used in money bouquets, cake decorations and confetti-style arrangements during celebrations — practices it says violate currency handling laws.
Citing Section 27 of the Bank of Botswana Act and its Clean Banknotes and Coin Policy, the bank stressed that mutilating or improperly handling currency is an offence.
Acts such as tearing, stapling, perforating, burning, writing on, or attaching adhesives to banknotes are prohibited and may attract fines, imprisonment, or both.
“Banknotes and coins must be looked after carefully to ensure that they remain clean and can last long,” the bank said, warning that damaged notes can become unfit for circulation and undermine public confidence in the currency.
The central bank also cautioned against photocopying or reproducing banknotes without permission, noting that this too is illegal.
The warning comes ahead of Valentine’s Day on February 14, as elaborate cash bouquets gain popularity on social media.
Authorities have urged the public to handle currency responsibly and report misuse to the bank or the nearest police station, emphasising that safeguarding the quality of banknotes is key to protecting trust in Botswana’s national currency.
Rapper, producer, and fashion designer Kanye West (now Ye) has declared his intention to run for President of the United States in the 2028 election.
The announcement marks his third known bid for the White House after previous attempts in 2020 and a short-lived 2024 effort.
The announcement came during an impromptu gathering outside his Los Angeles studio where West told supporters his campaign would center on achieving “world peace.”
He described a platform that blends “faith, fashion, and futuristic diplomacy.”
He claims global conflicts will drop under his leadership through creativity, belief, and innovative approaches to international relations.
West first ran in 2020 as the “Birthday Party” candidate, appearing on ballots in a handful of states and receiving a small number of votes before the campaign fizzled.
He teased a 2024 bid in late 2022, even releasing a “YE 24” logo and collaborating with figures like Milo Yiannopoulos, but his attorney confirmed in 2023 that he was not actively pursuing it.
No formal filing with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has been widely reported for a 2028 campaign as of mid-February 2026.
In a dramatic cost-cutting move, Malawian President Peter Mutharika has ordered Cabinet Ministers and their deputies to drastically scale back their local travel, limiting them to just one official trip per month.
The tough directive comes as government battles soaring expenditure under a tightening austerity budget. Chief Secretary to the Government, Justin Saidi, confirmed that any additional travel deemed essential must now receive prior approval directly from the President.
Sources say the decision was triggered by spiralling fuel expenses and mounting allowance claims that have piled pressure on the national purse. With public finances under strain, State House is signalling a no-nonsense approach to spending and ministers are the first in line.
The message is clear: tighten belts or seek permission. As economic challenges persist, the President appears determined to rein in costs and send a strong signal that austerity begins at the top.
Veteran opposition politician and former Finance minister Tendai Biti says the newly formed Constitution Defence Forum (CDF) will work broadly with Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, civil society organisations and other democratic actors to resist what he describes as sustained attacks on Zimbabwe’s Constitution by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Biti said the CDF is a civic and political platform established to defend constitutionalism and democratic governance amid what he termed a deepening economic and social crisis. He indicated that the forum seeks to unite citizens across political divides who are opposed to constitutional amendments and governance practices they view as undermining the rule of law.
The CDF initiative mirrors the Defend the Constitution Platform, a separate civic movement led by opposition figure Jameson Timba. Both platforms have emerged in response to recent constitutional changes and ongoing debates about executive authority and term limits.
Since assuming office in 2017, Mnangagwa has overseen several amendments to the 2013 Constitution. Critics argue that the changes have consolidated executive power, while government officials have maintained that the amendments are lawful and necessary administrative adjustments.
Biti alleges that the current push to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the 2028 constitutional limit to 2030 represents an attempt to entrench personal rule. He claims there are efforts within the ruling ZANU PF to alter constitutional provisions in a manner that would allow a two-year extension of the president’s term.
However, the issue is said to have exposed divisions within ZANU PF, with Chiwenga and some of his reported allies allegedly opposing any move to extend Mnangagwa’s stay in office beyond the existing constitutional framework.
Biti said the CDF aims to become a rallying point for citizens committed to defending what he called the “Supreme Law of the land,” urging Zimbabweans to mobilise in its protection. He has called for nationwide demonstrations to resist what he characterises as unconstitutional manoeuvres.
Some civil society groups and opposition activists have described the constitutional changes as amounting to a “constitutional coup,” a term referenced in the African Union’s Constitutive Act. They argue that altering foundational provisions to prolong incumbency undermines democratic norms.
Mnangagwa first came to power following the military-assisted transition in November 2017 that ended Robert Mugabe’s long rule. He subsequently won presidential elections in 2018 and 2023, both of which were contested by opposition parties.
The unfolding debate over constitutional amendments and executive tenure comes against the backdrop of prolonged economic challenges and social strain, with critics blaming governance failures while government officials attribute difficulties to sanctions, global economic headwinds and structural reforms underway.
POWER GRAB 2030: ZIMBABWE CABINET BACKS SWEEPING CONSTITUTIONAL SHAKE-UP
Vote Delayed. President Shielded. Power Centralised.
Zimbabwe is staring at one of the most dramatic political overhauls since the 2013 Constitution and critics say it marks a decisive shift away from democratic accountability.
On 10 February 2026, Cabinet approved Constitutional Amendment No. 3, a far-reaching Bill that rewrites how political power is chosen, how long it lasts, and how it is supervised. According to leading political commentator and researcher Dr Phillan Zamchiya, the changes signal a clean break from the spirit of the 2013 constitutional settlement a charter built on term limits, competition and institutional checks.
“This Bill moves in the opposite direction,” Zamchiya argues. Instead of restraining power, he says, it redesigns the Constitution to protect and reproduce it.
The most immediate shock? Zimbabweans will not vote in 2028.
Under amendments to key constitutional provisions, the current five-year electoral cycle is scrapped and replaced with seven-year terms for the President and Parliament. Elections are pushed to 2030.
In effect, political time stretches for the elite and shrinks for the voter.
Even more controversially, the Bill suspends a constitutional safeguard that prevented a sitting president from benefiting from term extensions. Its removal clears the way for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
Government officials defend the move as necessary for stability. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi says longer terms will reduce the “toxicity” of constant election cycles and allow development programmes to run their course. Presidential spokesperson Nick Mangwana has gone further, describing elections as a “tax on development.”
But critics say that argument turns democracy on its head.
Elections, they insist, are not inconveniences to be managed they are moments of accountability. They force leaders to face the public regularly. Stability, they argue, must be earned at the ballot box, not engineered by extending terms.
And the changes do not stop there.
In a seismic shift, the Bill abolishes the direct popular election of the President. Instead of citizens voting directly for the Head of State, the President would now be chosen by Members of Parliament in a joint sitting of the Senate and National Assembly.
In simple terms: in 2030, Zimbabweans would vote for MPs and those MPs would choose the President on their behalf.
Supporters point to countries like South Africa and Botswana, where parliamentary systems elect presidents. But critics say the comparison is misleading. Zimbabwe’s system combines constituency-based MPs, centralised election control, and extended terms a blend that, they argue, strengthens incumbency rather than competition.
The Senate is also set to grow. The President would gain the power to appoint ten additional Senators, increasing the chamber from 80 to 90 members. While framed as a way to inject expertise, opponents say it dilutes electoral constraints and quietly expands executive influence within Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission would be abolished and replaced with a body focused only on boundary delimitation. Core election functions including voter registration and custody of the voters’ roll would move to the Registrar General, an office historically viewed as closer to the executive.
Judicial appointments would also change. Public interviews and competitive selection processes would be scrapped in favour of direct presidential appointments. The military’s constitutional duty would shift from upholding the Constitution to acting “in accordance with” it a subtle but significant wording change, critics warn.
Taken together, Zamchiya argues, the reforms align in one direction: longer terms, centralised authority, reduced oversight, and fewer moments when citizens can reward or punish those in power.
“No new limits on incumbents are introduced. No new risks are created for those who rule,” he says.
Government calls it reform and stability. Critics call it political reengineering.
One thing is certain: if passed, Constitutional Amendment No. 3 will reshape Zimbabwe’s political future pushing the next national vote further away and moving the most powerful decision in the land from the ballot box to Parliament.
The question now is not whether the rules are changing.
It is what those changes will mean for the country’s democracy and for the millions who will have to live under them until 2030.
SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENTS WHO TRIED TO SERVE THEIR PEOPLE AND THE CRITICS THEY FACED
1️⃣ Nelson Mandela (1994–1999) ✔️ Achievements: Nation-building, reconciliation, RDP housing & social programs, human rights. ❌ Critics say: Limited economic transformation; poverty and unemployment remained high.
2️⃣ Thabo Mbeki (1999–2008) ✔️ Achievements: Promoted economic growth, Black Economic Empowerment, infrastructure, skills development. ❌ Critics say: Slow response to HIV/AIDS crisis early in his term; accused of prioritizing macroeconomics over social issues.
3️⃣ Kgalema Motlanthe (2008–2009) (Interim President) ✔️ Achievements: Maintained political stability, ensured smooth transition between Zuma and Mbeki. ❌ Critics say: Too short a term to make real impact on citizens’ lives.
4️⃣ Jacob Zuma (2009–2018) ✔️ Achievements: Expanded social grants, improved rural access to electricity & water, infrastructure projects. ❌ Critics say: Corruption scandals, mismanagement, state capture overshadowed citizen-focused programs.
5️⃣ Cyril Ramaphosa (2018–present) ✔️ Achievements: Anti-corruption efforts, economic recovery plans, SANDF deployment to fight crime, crisis management (pandemic, floods). ❌ Critics say: Progress slow on job creation, inequality, and poverty; handling of protests and immigration controversial.
⚖️ Takeaway: Every leader faced challenges but some laid foundations for real change, while others struggled with governance and corruption.
Africa’s citizens continue to watch, judge, and demand leaders who prioritize their people over power.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has been replaced as the head of Dubai’s DP World after the recent emails published by the DOJ showed a decade-long relationship between the tycoon and late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Dubai’s Government Media Office announced new appointments for the positions of chairman and CEO of DP World, without naming bin Sulayem. These positions were previously held by the Dubai tycoon.
Who are replacing him? DP World has announced that Essa Kazim will be the new chairman of its board of directors. Yuvraj Narayan has been named as the group CEO.
“DP World announced the appointment of His Excellency Essa Kazim as Chairman of its Board of Directors and the appointment of Yuvraj Narayan as Group Chief Executive Officer,” the Dubai government statement said.
The ‘torture video’ email: In 2009, Epstein wrote in an email, “Where are you? are you ok , I loved the torture video.” The recipient replied, “I am in china I will be in the US 2nd week of may.”
Though the name of the recipient was redacted, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie tweeted, “A Sultan seems to have sent this,” adding that the Justice Department should make the name public.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche responded to Massie’s post that “the Sultan’s name is available unredacted in the files” and cited another document which names Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
The newly released emails suggest that Epstein and bin Sulayem had a decades-long relationship. The topics of conversation between the two often included sex, escorts and intimate massages.
In one of the emails to bin Sulayem in 2013, Epstein wrote, “You are one of my most trusted friends in (every) sense of the word. You have never let me down.”
Who is Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem? The World Economic Forum once described how “under his leadership, DP World has grown its network to over 78 countries and become a vital partner to global businesses.” His profile, which was earlier visible on the company’s website, is, however, now been deleted. Anyone trying to access it is met with a “404 Error” page. His LinkedIn profile has also been deleted.
92-YEAR-OLD BIYA TOO WEAK TO ATTEND HIS OWN BIRTHDAY!
UNBELIEVABLE: President Paul Biya Missing In Action!
At 92 years old, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya was TOO FRAIL to even show up at his own birthday celebration today in Yaoundé!
THE SHOCKING REALITY:
➡️ Event: Official Birthday Ceremony
➡️ Date: February 13, 2026
➡️ Location: Palais des Sports, Yaoundé
➡️ Paul Biya: ABSENT! ❌
Instead, he sent Minister Philippe Mbarga Mboa to represent him while government officials, traditional leaders, and politicians gathered to celebrate a President who CANNOT EVEN WALK properly anymore!
They praised his “leadership” and “career” while the 92-year-old leader was nowhere to be found too old, too weak, barely mobile!
Theme: “Recognition and Institutional Support”
Reality: A President who can’t attend his own party!
While Cameroonians wait for clarity on the future, their leader is physically unable to fulfill basic ceremonial duties. The institutional calendar remains UNCLEAR as the nation watches a President who can barely function!
Africa’s oldest leader showing the world he’s TOO OLD to lead!
South African opposition leader Mmusi Maimane, MP and head of Build One South Africa, has condemned Zanu PF’s plans to amend the constitution to extend presidential terms from five to seven years, calling the move “disgusting.”
Posting on X, Maimane warned that prolonged rule by Zanu-PF exacerbates South Africa’s ongoing immigration challenges caused by Zimbabwean migrants.
He wrote:
“As South Africa we must be aware that the longer there is a brutal dictatorship in Zimbabwe, the longer we will not be able to deal with the immigration crisis in South Africa.
“We pay the price for the sins of Zanu PF, we pay in healthcare costs, policing costs and in social tensions.
“We did not choose this, unfortunately the ANC has forced us to pay this hefty multi-generational bill by giving family status to one of the worst political parties in Africa. We cannot be ‘forever yena’ with Zanu PF.
“South Africa should cut all ties with Zanu PF. We can’t endorse presidents and family dynasties forever. Be it Museveni, Mugabe or Mnangagwa. They are all the same version of unscrupulous tyrants decimating Africa. ‘iAfrica mayibuye’ was not a call for some families to rule in perpetuity. It was for inclusive and fair democratic forms of self-determination.
“If Zanu PF falls, many of the undocumented immigrants will go back to Zimbabwe. If Frelimo falls, many of the undocumented immigrants will go back to Mozambique.
“We must not encourage or endorse any actions which worsen democracy in SADC and in Africa. Especially when we will pay the price.”
Maimane’s comments highlight regional concerns that extended authoritarian rule in Zimbabwe could further strain South Africa’s resources and exacerbate social and economic pressures caused by cross-border migration.
MALAWI HIGH COURT STOPS GOVERNMENT MOVE TO SEND SOLDIERS TO CIVILIAN POSTS
The High Court has ruled that the Government acted illegally when it redeployed senior officers from the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to work in civilian institutions such as ESCOM, NOCMA, ADMARC, and EGENCO.
The case was brought by Major Generals Chikunkha Soko, Saiford Kalisha, Swithun Mchungula, Francis Kakhuta Banda, and Brigadier General Harold Dzoole, who challenged the decision by the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC).
The officers argued that the SPC did not have the legal authority to move them from military duties to civilian roles.
WHAT GOVERNMENT ARGUED
Government lawyers told the court that the issue was an employment matter and should not have been brought under judicial review.
They said the SPC, as head of the public service, had the mandate to make such decisions.
WHAT THE COURT SAID The court disagreed.
High Court Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda found that:
✅ The SPC used powers he does not have under the Constitution, the Defence Force Act, and the Public Service Act.
✅ Because this was a decision made by a public office using public law, it can be reviewed by the High Court.
✅ Government failed to prove that the officers had another remedy outside the court process.
ON THE DEPLOYMENTS
The court also stressed that moving public officers must follow the law. Redeployments must consider not only government needs but also factors such as: effectiveness of the officer, suitability of the job, and job satisfaction.
The court found these requirements were not properly followed.
WHAT IT MEANS The ruling means the secondment of the military officers to civilian institutions cannot stand.
Legal analysts say the judgment is important because it clearly defines the limits of administrative power and confirms that decisions of senior government officials can be challenged in court.
“US Gears Up for ‘Weeks-Long’ Strike on Iran If Trump Gives the Go-Ahead!”
The U.S. military is quietly preparing for more than just a quick blow against Iran, planning for sustained, weeks-long combat operations should President Donald Trump order an attack, senior officials say.
Pentagon commanders have already started positioning extra warships, troops, fighter jets and powerful destroyers in the Middle East with an additional aircraft carrier now en route to bolster forces.
Trump has publicly kept “all options on the table” and even suggested that a change of leadership in Tehran would be ideal as tensions with Iran over its nuclear and missile programs continue to simmer.
With diplomacy still underway, the buildup signals Washington may be bracing for a major military showdown if talks fail or Trump decides to strike.
Breaking News : Russia Rushes Humanitarian Oil to Cuba as Fuel Crisis Hits Critical Levels!
In a bold move amid escalating geopolitical tensions, Russia has announced plans to deliver crude oil and petroleum products to Cuba as humanitarian aid in the coming days.
This comes as the island nation grapples with severe fuel shortages, worsened by halted supplies from Venezuela and ongoing U.S. sanctions—leaving airlines grounded and daily life disrupted. The Russian Embassy in Havana confirmed the shipment to Izvestia, marking Moscow’s latest support for its longtime ally after a 100,000-ton delivery last year.
This aid underscores Russia’s defiance against U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba, with the Kremlin in talks to provide further assistance. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
🇨🇩 DEM. REP. OF CONGO: PRESIDENTS AND THEIR CHALLENGES.
1️⃣ Joseph Kasa-Vubu (1960–1965) ✔️ First President post-independence, helped suppress secessionist movements. ❌ Struggled with national unity; political clashes; removed by coup.
2️⃣ Mobutu Sese Seko (1965–1997) ✔️ Brought long-term stability, promoted national identity (“Authenticité”). ❌ Corruption, human rights abuses, economic mismanagement, authoritarian rule.
3️⃣ Laurent-Désiré Kabila (1997–2001) ✔️ Overthrew Mobutu, restored country’s name to DRC. ❌ Authoritarian; limited reforms; Second Congo War erupted; assassinated in office.
4️⃣ Joseph Kabila (2001–2019) ✔️ Ended Second Congo War, oversaw first multiparty elections, boosted infrastructure. ❌ Corruption, delayed democratic transitions, disputed 2011 re-election, ongoing conflict in the east.
5️⃣ Félix Tshisekedi (2019–present) ✔️ First peaceful transfer of power, economic reforms, regional integration. ❌ Weak control over eastern provinces, slow progress on poverty & inequality, corruption concerns.
⚖️ Takeaway: DRC leaders faced enormous challenges from wars and rebel groups to corruption and weak institutions. Some brought stability and reform, others struggled with governance. The journey for a prosperous and peaceful Congo continues.
Dubai billionaire CEO resigns after Epstein e-mail fallout
Dubai-based logistics giant DP World announced that Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has resigned as chairman and CEO following revelations from the recently released U.S. Department of Justice documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The files included a 2009 email from Epstein to bin Sulayem in which Epstein wrote, “Where are you? Are you OK, I loved the torture video.” The context of the message has not been fully explained publicly.
Bin Sulayem, a leading Emirati businessman who helped build DP World into one of the world’s largest ports and logistics operators, stepped down on Friday amid growing scrutiny and investor pressure over his long-standing correspondence with Epstein.
DP World has already appointed new leadership, with Essa Kazim named chairman and Yuvraj Narayan appointed group CEO as part of the transition.
There is no confirmation that bin Sulayem has been charged with any crime in connection with the Epstein case.
Second Suspect Arrested in Murder of E-Hailing Driver in Pretoria
Authorities have confirmed a second arrest in connection with the brutal killing of an e-hailing driver in Pretoria West this week, as investigators continue to hunt for additional suspects.
The 22-year-old driver was allegedly attacked and murdered inside his vehicle after accepting a ride request in the Pretoria West area on 11 February 2026.
A disturbing dashcam video that circulated on social media showed the driver being assaulted by two passengers before his body was later found in Atteridgeville alongside the hijacked car.
Gauteng police initially arrested a female suspect who is expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on charges of carjacking and murder.
In a fresh development, law enforcement confirmed that a second suspect believed to have been involved in the fatal hijacking has now also been apprehended, although a third individual reportedly remains at large.
Police have urged anyone with information that could help crack the case to come forward as the investigation continues.
US SENDS LARGEST AIRCRAFT CARRIER TO STRENGTHEN MILITARY PRESENCE NEAR IRAN
VIRGINIA, U.S.: The United States is deploying its most powerful aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East in an escalation of military positioning amid rising tensions with Iran, according to U.S. officials and multiple international media reports.
The Pentagon confirmed that the nuclear-powered carrier strike group will relocate from the Caribbean to join the USS Abraham Lincoln and other American warships already operating in the region. The move will reinforce U.S. naval power and provide additional air combat, surveillance and strike capabilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear program, warning of severe consequences if no agreement is reached. Officials say the deployment is intended to strengthen Washington’s negotiating leverage while ensuring readiness for potential military action if tensions escalate.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy, carries dozens of fighter jets and advanced surveillance aircraft, enabling sustained airstrikes and rapid response operations. Its escort ships include guided-missile destroyers and other warships equipped for multi-domain combat missions.
The strike team departed its home base in Norfolk, Virginia, in June 2025 for what was originally a European deployment before being redirected to the Caribbean and now reassigned to the Middle East. The carrier is expected to remain deployed until at least late April or early May.
The increased U.S. military presence comes amid stalled diplomatic engagement and fears that tensions between Washington and Tehran could escalate further. Analysts say aircraft carriers are central to American military strategy, allowing the U.S. to project power globally without relying on foreign bases.
LIBYA REOPENS OIL LICENSING TO FOREIGN FIRMS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2011 CONFLICT
TRIPOLI: Libya has awarded new oil exploration and production licences to several international energy companies, marking the first such move since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The state-run National Oil Corporation announced Wednesday that major global firms, including Chevron and BP, were among the successful bidders. Africa’s largest privately owned energy firm, Aiteo, also secured a licence. Other winning consortiums included combinations involving Repsol, Eni, QatarEnergy, MOLGroup, and Turkiye Petrolleri.
However, the licensing round drew limited interest, with only five out of 20 available exploration blocks receiving bids. The NOC did not disclose the financial terms but indicated another bidding round would take place later this year.
Energy analysts said investor caution reflects ongoing political instability. Hamish Kinnear of Verisk Maplecroft told AFP the muted response was “underwhelming,” noting that uncertainty linked to Libya’s political divisions and security concerns likely deterred broader participation.
Libya remains divided between rival administrations, including the UN-recognised government in Tripoli led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah and eastern forces aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar. This fragmentation has complicated governance of the oil sector despite its central role in the national economy.
Geoff Porter of North Africa Risk Consulting described the outcome as disappointing compared with expectations, telling AFP that companies remain wary about institutional reliability and operational risks in the country.
Libya currently produces about 1.5 million barrels of oil per day and holds Africa’s largest proven reserves, estimated at 48.4 billion barrels. The government hopes new investments will further expand output. Recent agreements signed with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips, valued at more than $20 billion, aim to increase production by an additional 850,000 barrels per day over the next 25 years.
Officials view the renewed licensing effort as a key step toward restoring Libya’s oil industry and attracting foreign capital, even as political divisions continue to shape investor confidence.
BARBADIAN PM MIA MOTTLEY SECURES HISTORIC THIRD TERM WITH CLEAN SWEEP
By Anele Dlamini
#SDN, 13 February 2026
BARBADOS: Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley has won a historic third consecutive term after her Barbados Labour Party (BLP) captured all 30 seats in the island nation’s House of Assembly, official results confirmed early Thursday. This marks the second time Mottley’s party has achieved a complete sweep.
Speaking to supporters, Mottley, 60, emphasized her administration’s commitment to social and economic reform. “Our mission first and foremost is to stop poor people from being poor and to remove injustice wherever it exists to create opportunities for people,” she said, pledging to focus on infrastructure, healthcare and road safety. Friday was declared a public holiday in celebration of the victory.
Mottley also highlighted the changing global landscape since her first election in 2018, noting the importance of unity and innovation for Barbados’ future. She has been a vocal advocate for climate finance reform and debt relief strategies for climate-vulnerable nations, such as debt-for-climate swaps. In 2025, Barbados reduced its debt-to-GDP ratio to just under 100% for the first time in more than a decade, following a 2018 bond default.
The opposition Democratic Labour Party acknowledged the results, stating, “The people have spoken and we respect their voices.”
VENEZUELA RESTARTS CRUDE OIL EXPORTS TO ISRAEL AFTER YEARS-LONG BREAK
By Anele Dlamini
#SDN, 13 February 2026
Venezuela has dispatched its first crude oil shipment to Israel in several years, marking a significant shift in the country’s exports and signalling renewed energy trade links, according to a Bloomberg report.
Sources familiar with the transaction told Bloomberg that the cargo is being transported for Israel’s Bazan Group, the country’s largest crude oil refining company, although officials have not publicly confirmed the arrangement. Israel typically does not disclose the origins of its oil imports, maintaining confidentiality around supply sources.
Industry data from analytics firm Kpler indicates that the last known Venezuelan crude shipment to Israel occurred in mid-2020, when approximately 470,000 barrels were delivered. The latest shipment would therefore represent the first such export in several years.
Bloomberg noted that the deal reflects broader changes in Venezuela’s oil export strategy as the country seeks to diversify its customer base. Recent cargoes have reportedly been directed to buyers in multiple markets, including India, Spain and the United States, following shifts in Venezuela’s political and economic environment after the capture and detention of President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S.
The shipment also comes amid diplomatic developments involving Venezuela and Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar recently held discussions with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, expressing support for democratic reforms and future cooperation. Machado, in turn, said Venezuela aims to become a reliable global partner and rebuild international alliances.
The reported oil transfer is widely seen as a sign of changing energy flows and evolving relations, especially after years of limited engagement following Venezuela’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009.
BEIJING BACKS HAVANA! CHINA VOWS LIFELINE FOR CRISIS-HIT CUBA
China has pledged to stand firmly behind Cuba, promising support “in the best way possible” as the island battles a deepening energy crisis and mounting pressure from tightened United States restrictions.
Beijing signalled it would strengthen cooperation with Havana at a time when power shortages and economic strain are testing the country’s resilience. The show of solidarity comes as Washington’s tougher measures continue to squeeze the Cuban economy.
Chinese officials framed the move as part of their long-standing partnership, while critics see it as a bold geopolitical message amid escalating global tensions.
With blackouts biting and resources stretched thin, Cuba could soon be leaning heavily on its powerful ally in the East as it navigates one of its toughest periods in recent years.
A NATIVE SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER E-HAILING DRIVER KILLED IN PRETORIA WEST
A Native south African woman has been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of an e-hailing driver in Pretoria West, police have confirmed.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) says the suspect was taken into custody following investigations into the fatal attack that took place while the driver was on duty. Authorities believe the victim was attacked inside his vehicle after picking up passengers.
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The woman is expected to appear in court soon to face charges related to murder and hijacking. Police have also indicated that investigations are continuing, and additional arrests may follow.
The incident has once again sparked outrage and concern over the safety of e-hailing drivers who work long hours transporting passengers across the country.
Community members are calling for tougher action against criminals targeting drivers and stronger safety measures within the e-hailing industry.
Do you think enough is being done to protect drivers on our roads?
African Union summit meets under the shadow of Trump’s new policies
African Union leaders are meeting as United States President Donald Trump’s second-term policies reshape relations with Africa.
Washington has cut or frozen billions in foreign aid and shifted away from traditional assistance toward business-style agreements focused on trade, security cooperation and access to strategic minerals used in batteries, electronics and defence industries. The US previously provided about 26% of foreign aid to Africa.
Health programmes, including HIV/AIDS treatment supported by PEPFAR, have been affected, and some regions report rising food insecurity.
Many African countries are now strengthening ties with China, the EU and Gulf states to avoid dependence on a single global partner.
M’MEMBE SAYS OPPOSITION UNITY IS DIFFICULT BUT ESSENTIAL AHEAD OF GENERAL ELECTIONS
By: Agness Nakazwe
People’s Pact Movement presidential candidate Fred M’membe says achieving unity among political players remains a difficult task.
Dr. M’membe, who also serves as president of the Socialist Party, noted that while unity is widely desired, it is not easily attained.
He observed that even trade unions and other groupings across various sectors have struggled to unite despite sharing common interests.
Speaking on KBN TV, Dr. M’membe said that when he was selected as the People’s Pact Movement presidential candidate, he understood the weight of responsibility placed upon him.
He explained that Zambians want the opposition to unite ahead of the upcoming general elections, but varying interests among political players make unity difficult to achieve..
Dr. M’membe further stated that calling for unity as an individual is challenging, as it requires collective effort.
He emphasised that unity cannot be achieved by one person or a single political party, but through teamwork.
He added that genuine collaboration among political players requires trust, shared values, and a willingness to put national interests above personal or party ambitions.
Dr. M’membe also remarked that if it were possible for a movement, rather than an individual, to appear on the ballot paper, they would have preferred that option in their pursuit of unity. #SunFmTvNews
🇿🇲 BUILD-UP | PF’s New Fault Line: Mwila-Mwamba Fight, Exile Politics & the August Agenda
The Patriotic Front ecosystem is now arguing across four arenas at once, and the dispute between former PF secretary general Davies Mwila and PF information figure Emmanuel Mwamba has exposed the real pressure point. It is not only about who speaks for the opposition. It is about who controls the Tonse brand, who controls the Lungu family’s political symbolism, and who controls the narrative of victimhood around arrests and asset forfeitures
Here is the background. PF now functions as a constellation of factions and allied vehicles operating in parallel, and the Tonse Alliance itself is now split into competing camps. Brian Mundubile’s camp is trying to present itself as the organised, election-ready centre of gravity. Another camp, aligned with Given Lubinda and allies, disputes the legitimacy of Mundubile’s leadership track.
Into this comes Tasila Lungu, still in South Africa as the burial impasse over former president Edgar Lungu remains unresolved, and now placed at the centre of a new internal contest after her appointment as Tonse National Youth Chairperson in the Mundubile Tonse enclave.
The Mwila–Mwamba clash is best understood as an argument over who has the right to influence Tonse’s internal decisions, especially decisions involving the Lungu family. Mwila’s message is blunt: Mwamba is in exile and should not direct those “on the ground” on alliance matters. Mwila’s argument also frames exile as political limitation. If those at home fail to mobilise, then those outside cannot return. This is a strategic rebuke, not only personal.
Mwamba’s reported role, in turn, is perceived by the Mundubile camp as an attempt to block or delegitimise Tasila’s appointment by urging the family in South Africa not to “entertain” it. If accurate, it fits a wider pattern in PF politics where competing centres of influence seek to lock down the Lungu family’s position because the family is seen as carrying two assets. One is symbolic legitimacy in a scattered post-Lungu PF.
The other is perceived resource power, including networks, fundraising capability, and the loyalty economy built around the late president’s name.
This is where the politics turns from factional to moral. Mwila argues that the opposition’s mission is to win in August and release what he considers “political prisoners”.
Currently, many of the detained and convicted PF figures are facing corruption-related or violence-related cases, and the state’s asset forfeiture drive has become an additional pressure point. When a major opposition mobilisation message becomes “we must win to free our people,” it creates an optics problem. It narrows the opposition offer to self-preservation, even if supporters insist it is about justice, selective prosecution, or due process.
It is also politically risky because it hands the ruling party a clean contrast. UPND can argue it is governing, prosecuting, and recovering assets. PF factions then appear to be organising primarily for protection, negotiation leverage, and survival. You do not need propaganda to make the point. Voters tend to ask one simple question in election years. What changes in my life if you win.
If the loudest energy in the opposition space is about who returns from exile, who gets protected, and who controls the Lungu brand, it becomes harder to convince swing voters that the coalition is prepared to govern beyond the court docket.
The other danger is how grief is being used as political cover. Lungu’s burial dispute has already generated intense public emotion. When legal and financial accountability stories involving family members land alongside the burial standoff, it becomes easy for supporters to fuse them into one persecution narrative. It becomes “they are attacking the family while the body is still in South Africa.” This line can mobilise anger, but it also blurs two different questions.
One question is funeral dignity and state protocol. The other is whether specific assets were lawfully acquired under Zambia’s forfeiture framework. A serious opposition should be able to argue due process without converting every legal process into a funeral rally.
Zooming out, Mwila’s broadside exposes something deeper about PF’s current model of opposition. It is running on personality, legacy, and grievance, not policy contrast. Even the internal battle is not about ideology. It is about who inherits the right to speak in Lungu’s name, who gets to define the enemy, and who gets to distribute positions and protection.
If this trajectory continues, PF risks entering the election season with two weaknesses at once. It will be split organisationally, and it will be boxed rhetorically into a defence campaign. It will then rely heavily on Lungu’s residual loyalty to hold the base, while the ruling party continues to chip away at strongholds and present itself as the only coherent national machine.
PF CONVENTION UNNECESSARY, SUPPORT MUNDUBILE’S TONSE – MUKANGA
PF member Yamfwa Mukanga says there’s no need for the party to hold a convention while it is entangled in court issues. He says it’s better to have Brian Mundubile’s Tonse Alliance as an alternative so that the party can move forward.
The Given Lubinda-led PF had announced that it would hold a convention before the end of this month.
In an interview, Mukanga noted that one faction of the PF had the papers while the other faction was running the show.
“The situation is that in politics everybody has liberty, they have liberty, they can choose to do what they think is right. But it’s always the leadership, what has caused all these things. It’s because our party seems to be held hostage if you want to go to a convention. The challenge is that, there is one group which is holding on to the paper, the other group is running the show. So it’s very difficult for us to do something that is tangible. And it’s for this reason that I believe that’s the source of this confusion, because whenever the decision is made that we go to the convention and then an injunction comes in or maybe the ones who are holding the paper say no, then it becomes a challenge because they’ll be supported by the government,” Mukanga said.
“But I believe that whatever is happening, soon we will come to a conclusion because there’s always a plan B. And this plan will work this time, because maybe we need to look around and see what would be the best way to move with because ‘do we just wait in perpetuity for a convention that will not come?’ No. What should happen now is to look around and see what would be the best to do because I know that there is a group of elders who need to find out how best to deal with the situation”.
Asked if the convention was unnecessary at the moment, he responded in the affirmative.
“I think to me, it will not be necessary unless things are corrected. But I don’t think that looking at the Judiciary the way it operates in Zambia, it’s very difficult. I think there is a part of the leadership that is looking for a plan B to move fast. No. We don’t need to wait forever. I don’t blame anyone, even for Mundubile to be chosen as the Alliance Chairperson, my congratulations to him, he did a good job because people are seeing something in him. And I believe he needs to be supported. So I don’t think people can come and say no, this and this. No, at this particular time, we need to move ahead in one way or another,” Mukanga said.
“That’s one of the plans. If you look at it this way, Mundubile is the Tonse Alliance president, that’s his alternative. We have another alternative. So people should look around on the alternatives, and then come up and discuss. The only thing I would want to be done is that there should still be unity in the way we are moving. We need all the factions to come together and discuss and say, this is what has happened, this is the only way we can move. And that’s what we need to do. And I believe the leadership is looking into all those lines, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to start condemning other people who are moving. What court issues are there with Tonse? If there are no court issues, why can’t people rally behind the system that has no issues? Because we seem to have been held hostage. So I think it’s important that people look at it that way and try to come down the table with that”.
He warned that nothing would happen to the opposition in August if they failed to unite.
“There are a lot of issues that need to be resolved in PF. Who among those who are currently [leading] did not come from somewhere? So I think it’s important that, no, we just sit down and resolve these things ourselves. The reason that might be given might not be the appropriate one. It’s not right to think like that, because somebody came from somewhere. I came from UNIP a long time ago because it was the only political party. So since I came from UNIP, are you going to say, yeah, but you came from UNIP, you cannot be PF? No. So we should accommodate others. The whole purpose of a political party is to grow and make the other people come in. And if they come in, if you have ideas, discuss so that at least you, within your philosophy and intention, you will work together,” said Mukanga.
“So what is important for now is to bring up this unity, to discuss because, if you look at the way the UPND is running, it will be difficult for any single party to destroy them because the party which would have been the best option to destroy them was PF. Which I think they’ve manipulated to an extent to where we have now reached a challenge. That’s why I think the issue of going for a big alliance like Tonse would be the best option. But even with that alliance, what is required is unity for other people to come on board and discuss issues so that we move as one block of opposition. If we do not move as one block of opposition in Zambia, nothing is going to happen in August”.
PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA MEANS WELL FOR THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA – FDD CHAWAMA MP
Lusaka – 13 February, 2026
Chawama Member of Parliament, Bright Nundwe, has praised President Hakainde Hichilema for prioritising development through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), saying the Head of State means well for the people of Zambia.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Kuku Police Post constructed under the CDF in Chawama Constituency, Mr. Nundwe described the occasion as a profound moment for the people of the area. He said the project demonstrates Government’s commitment to improving security and taking development closer to communities.
Mr. Nundwe noted that although Chawama may be small geographically, it has a large population and should never be taken lightly in matters of development. He thanked President Hichilema for increasing the CDF allocation, stating that the move signifies the President’s dedication to uplifting the living standards of Zambians.
The lawmaker further called for unity among residents across all four wards of the constituency, emphasizing the national motto “One Zambia, One Nation.” He stressed that Chawama belongs to every Zambian regardless of tribe or political affiliation and warned against segregation.
Mr. Nundwe also urged officers deployed to the new police post to uphold accountability, order, and professionalism in their service to the community.
He reaffirmed his commitment to working with Government officials and stakeholders to ensure continued development in Chawama Constituency.
Fight at Parliament as Mpankata and Miles Sampa Exchange Harsh Words
By Current Zambia
There was high political drama at Parliament grounds today after Lupososhi Member of Parliament Musonda Mpankata and Matero MP Miles Sampa reportedly exchanged heated words in a confrontation that drew attention from bystanders.
The two lawmakers, both linked to the Patriotic Front (PF) political space, temporarily set aside parliamentary decorum and engaged in a public verbal clash more reminiscent of a campaign rally than a legislative session.
According to sources present, Lupososhi MP Musonda Mpankata accused Miles Sampa of being responsible for the internal instability that has rocked the PF in recent months. In response, Miles Sampa fired back, branding Mpankata a “sellout” and questioning his political loyalty.
WITHOUT PF STRUCTURES, POLITICAL AMBITIONS COLLAPSE
By Michael Zephaniah Phiri Political Activist
The Muchinda Ward by-election has brutally exposed a political experiment built on shortcuts, borrowed identity, and misplaced confidence. Those who believed they could weaken the Patriotic Front (PF), discard its leadership, and still inherit its grassroots strength have now been confronted by reality.
When Brian Mundubile, together with his allies, chose confrontation over cohesion, they assumed that expelling PF-aligned leaders under Given Lubinda would automatically translate into political relevance elsewhere. The BM8 campaign team and the so-called Dunumis Movement were presented as new forces ready to command the opposition space.
The ballot has rejected that narrative.
Results from the Muchinda Ward by-election are unambiguous. The United Party for National Development (UPND) emerged with 844 votes. The United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) followed with 679 votes. Meanwhile, the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) , used as a special purpose political vehicle by Mundubile’s camp, managed a humiliating 271 votes, just 5%.
This was not a loss; it was a collapse.
Using FDD as a temporary platform, reportedly driven by questionable motives, has failed to convince voters. Even more telling was the campaign’s symbolism. Instead of proudly projecting FDD’s own identity and leadership under Edith Nawakwi, campaign materials were dominated by painted and drawn images of PF’s founding fathers , Michael Chilufya Sata and Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
That was not strategy. That was desperation.
You cannot attack PF structures while clinging to PF symbols. You cannot reject PF leadership while exploiting PF heritage. The contradiction is glaring, and voters saw through it
PF is not a slogan, a colour, or a portrait on a campaign poster. PF is an institution built on ward structures, constituency mobilisation, and a loyal grassroots base cultivated over decades. Those structures do not migrate because of press statements or internal power struggles.
The Muchinda by-election confirms a hard political truth: without PF structures, there is no PF vote. And without PF identity, borrowed legacies offer no rescue.
The message is now clear stay away from PF and its founding fathers if you cannot respect its structures, leadership, and history. Political ambition without organisational legitimacy is not bravery; it is self-destruction.
The ballot has spoken. And it has been unforgiving.
🇿🇲 VIEWPOINT | Zambia’s Rate Cut Signals Confidence, But Reality is Still Harsh
The Bank of Zambia’s decision this week to cut its Monetary Policy Rate by 75 basis points, from 14.25% to 13.5%, is more than a technical adjustment. It is an economic signal. After years of volatility, the central bank is beginning to act less like a firefighter and more like a manager of recovery.
The move comes as inflation eases sharply, falling from 11.2% in December 2025 to 9.4% in January 2026. The central bank has also projected inflation could drop below 8% within the first quarter of this year. In a region where price pressures remain stubborn, Zambia’s disinflation trend is starting to look structurally anchored rather than accidental.
For markets, this is a meaningful pivot. Monetary easing is only possible when policymakers believe inflation expectations are stabilising. In that sense, the rate cut reflects growing confidence that the inflation shock of recent years is fading, giving the central bank space to support growth.
The macro backdrop is improving on several fronts.
A stronger kwacha has helped contain imported inflation, particularly for fuel, fertiliser, and other dollar-priced inputs. Copper prices, Zambia’s external anchor, remain supportive, while mining activity has shown renewed momentum. These forces have strengthened foreign exchange inflows and reduced pressure on the currency, offering the Bank of Zambia additional policy room.
Weather has also played a role. The central bank has pointed to a more favourable 2024/2025 rainy season, which improves agricultural supply conditions and reduces food-driven inflation risk, historically one of Zambia’s most persistent price triggers.
Taken together, these factors suggest Zambia is entering a more stable macro phase: easing inflation, firmer currency performance, improving commodity support, and a policy environment less dominated by crisis response.
Still, a rate cut is not the same as a recovery.
The key question is transmission. Will lower policy rates translate into cheaper credit for firms, households, and productive sectors? Zambia’s borrowing environment remains constrained by high lending spreads, risk pricing, and weak private-sector credit depth. Monetary easing can stimulate growth only if commercial banks respond, and if businesses have the confidence to invest.
There is also a political economy dimension. With elections approaching later this year, any macro improvement will be tested against lived experience. Inflation may be falling, but the cost of living remains elevated. Rate cuts support investment over time, but households feel prices immediately.
For ordinary Zambians, the central bank’s shift offers cautious optimism: more stable prices, easing pressure on borrowing, and the possibility of stronger business activity. But the benefits will depend on whether growth broadens beyond macro indicators into jobs, incomes, and affordability.
Zambia’s economic narrative is turning. The Bank of Zambia is signalling that inflation is increasingly under control and that policy can now lean toward expansion rather than restraint.
The challenge now is ensuring that stability becomes opportunity, not just statistics.
An apology from Ja Rule to 50 and the whole G-Unit family penned by an assistant …
I want to speak as a man first, before anything else.
For years our names have been tied together in beef, headlines, diss records, and street stories that go all the way back to 1999. From the robbery situation in Queens… to the early tension around Murder Inc… to “Life’s On The Line” and every diss that followed. From the nightclub altercation in Atlanta… to the studio confrontation where things turned physical… to records like “Wanksta,” “Back Down,” and my responses like “Loose Change.”
We spent decades throwing fuel on a fire that never really had to burn this long.
And even when time passed… when we ended up on the same flight, same row, no problems… when I publicly admitted you won the battle musically… somehow the smoke kept finding oxygen. Social media, interviews, festivals, memes… it just kept going.
But that airplane moment stayed with me.
Sitting there, grown men, no entourages, no cameras, no chaos… just two fathers sharing the same airspace. Breathing the toxic air and I didnt handle it well. Getting put off the plane was the best thing that coulda happened to me. It brought me back to reality. It made me realize how much time had passed… and how much life had happened outside the beef.
We’re not the same young artists fighting for position anymore.
We are fathers. Some of us are grandfathers now.
And that perspective changes everything.
I’ve had to ask myself real questions… What are we teaching our kids if we carry this forever? What karma are we passing down? What energy follows our last names when we gone?
I don’t want to hand that legacy to my children.
They deserve to inherit wisdom… not war stories.
They deserve to see resolution… not resentment.
So this is me extending my hand as a man, not as an opponent.
I apologize for my role in keeping this beef alive. For every record, every interview jab, every social media shot that kept us stuck in a cycle that should’ve expired years ago.
We both built legacies in this culture. We both fed our families through this music. We both survived an industry and streets that don’t let many make it out.
That alone deserves mutual respect.
I’m not asking for friendship if that’s not real. I’m not asking for collaboration or cameras.
I’m asking for peace.
For closure.
For growth.
Let the next generation see that even the longest wars can end with accountability and manhood.
No more karma to pass down.
Just respect between fathers… between men… between legends who helped shape an era whether we liked each other or not.
🚨 AFRICA MUST STOP THE “CONSTITUTIONAL COUP” GAME 🚨
We shout when soldiers seize power. We protest when tanks roll into presidential palaces.
But what about when leaders quietly seize power with a pen? ✍🏾
When constitutions are amended to reset term limits… When courts are pressured to reinterpret clear laws… When elections are structured so incumbents never truly lose…
Is that not also a coup — just dressed in a suit?
Former Liberian President George Weah once warned:
“As long as ECOWAS tolerates institutional coups that enable life presidencies, there will be military coups. And we cannot condemn military coups when we fail to condemn those who carry out institutional coups. ECOWAS should work in the interest of our people.”
That statement speaks to a deeper truth.
In 🇨🇲 Cameroon, Paul Biya has ruled for over four decades. In 🇺🇬 Uganda, Yoweri Museveni removed age limits to extend his stay. In 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa faces growing debate over term extensions.
When leaders manipulate constitutions to stay indefinitely, they weaken institutions, silence opposition, and shrink democratic space.
If we condemn military coups, we must also confront constitutional ones.
Power must rotate. Institutions must outlive individuals. Africa deserves leadership that respects the spirit — not just the loopholes — of democracy.
NIGER REPUBLIC HAS OFFICIALLY DECLARED WÄR ON FRANCE OVER EXISTENTIAL THR£ATS
Chief of Staff to the NIGERIEN President, General AMADOU IBRO, said the country was preparing to “GO TO WÄR WITH FRANCE”, accused of wanting to regain control of its former colony.
During a rally in NIAMEY on February 11, IBRO called on the people to rally against FRANCE. He affirmed:
“This mobilization is intended to prepare us for the war with FRANCE. We will go to war with her” he added saying because NIGER to ban food from FRANCE.
According to him, FRANCE would seek to destabilize NIGER and control its natural resources once again..
On his part, FRANCE has denied interference, Colonel GUILLAUME VERNE claiming that this is an “information war” by the NIGERIEN authorities.
The saddest part of the whole scenario is that you won’t hear the unscrupulous element called African Union criticise FRANCE for once despite the overwhelming evidence, but would rush to suspend any of her members that challenged the FRENCH neocolonialism.
POLICE ARREST ADMINS FOR 3 FACEBOOK PAGES OVER CYBER HARASSMENT
●WhatsApp admins have authority to manage group or community settings, add/remove members, and edit information (name, icon). Groups can have unlimited admins, while communities allow up to 20.
The Zambia Police Service has arrested five Lusaka residents for allegedly harassing and humiliating a woman on social media, in violation of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025.
According to police, 30 year-old Idah Choongo reported that defamatory content about her had been published on Facebook pages including Fyambe Media, Kanyama Zed Tv , and Kumwesu.
The report was made to the Anti – Fraud and Cyber Crime Unit at Lusaka Central Police Station on February 10, 2026.
Following investigations, the five suspects -Silvester Kaumba (42) of Kamwala South, Edwin Daka (40), Chrispine Samutumwa (27) of Makeni Villa, Musheck Chinyama (32), and Modrick Ngwala (28) _ were apprehended on February 12.
They have since been formally charged and released on police bond, pending their court appearance.
Police stressed that all legal procedures were followed during the arrests and refuted claims circulating online that the suspects had been abducted. Authorities are urging the public to verify information and report responsibly to prevent misinformation.
BRIEFING | UPND Scoops Muchinda Ward Seat in Local Government By-Election
The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has won the Muchinda Ward local government by-election after securing a narrow but decisive victory in the vote.
Announcing the official results, Returning Officer Smart Muwowo said UPND candidate Nicholas Munsele polled 844 votes out of more than 1,700 cast, placing the party ahead of its closest challenger.
UPPZ candidate Garrison Musonda finished second with 679 votes, while the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) candidate Ronald Chola trailed with 271 votes.
The outcome reinforces UPND’s continued ability to compete effectively in ward-level contests, even as opposition parties remain active and relatively competitive on the ground.
MOYO TREATS ME AS IF WE SHARED A GIRLFRIEND – MPUNDU
NKANA Independent MP Binwell Mpundu says people would think he once shared a girlfriend with Second Deputy Speaker Moses Moyo, considering how Moyo treats him in Parliament.
On Tuesday, Moyo reprimanded Mpundu and threatened to send him on a “holiday” for stating that Zambia should learn from Ghana in terms of solving its illegal gold mining problem.
Speaking when he featured on Diamond TV, Wednesday, Mpundu said he did not understand why he was being unfairly treated by Moyo, stating that the Second Deputy Speaker abused his powers.
Asked if he had a sour relationship with Moyo, Mpundu said, “I don’t even need to have [one]; others would want to think we shared a girlfriend, we’ve never had that relationship”.
“There are certain times when I have actually been stopped from debating. I have been often times ignored. When Speaker [Moses] Moyo is presiding, you need to know this, I would indicate to debate, the first to indicate, he will skip me until he passes on to the next item. I have never known Moyo until we came to Parliament. I don’t wish to know him, he has never fed me, [and] he has never given me anything. If he died today, I would mourn him but he would not change my life. We have a classic example of what happened yesterday (Tuesday), yesterday (Tuesday) is a clear case of how people would abuse power to abuse others because yesterday I was abused, I was undressed and insulted and this followed after Speaker Nelly Mutti almost also abused me, [and] in fact she abused me,” Mpundu lamented.
“Yesterday, I was almost suspended, are you aware? Did you see what happened yesterday that could have qualified the Speaker sending me out? What part of the debate yesterday would have justified the call for the Speaker to send me out? Is it because I mentioned that in the separation of powers, we are seeing, as an example, a Speaker goes to dance, didn’t you see Speaker Nelly Mutti dance in Parliament after Bill 7?
We do understand that Nelly Mutti is UPND, she used to be a UPND cadre, we do understand. We do understand madam Attractor Chisangano used to be a UPND cadre. We do understand that [Moses] Moyo used to be a UPND cadre but you see, when you are appointed or elected as Speaker, you take off that jacket of belonging to a political party. The Speaker is a referee who must play a neutral card, who must not show bias”.
Mpundu further said he was concerned that the presiding officers of the National Assembly did not understand their roles.
“The presiding officers have really, really messed Parliament and it’s not a Parliament that I would ever wish to go back to because of the abuse. I get to worry so much as to whether our presiding officers were oriented as what presiding means, let alone, if they understand what a debate is. I think that our speakers don’t understand what a debate is.
Often times, they’ll cut you short because they want you to provide evidence. Imagine walking with books or files of evidence every time you are walking into a debate. When you look at the independent members of parliament, there is only myself and Given Katuta who qualify to be independent, the rest are dining with the UPND, that is how come they were even able to vote for Bill 7, that is how come if [Misheck] Nyambose speaks, he’s always heaping praise on the UPND. Have you ever heard a member of parliament who has been suspended from the ruling side? Are you telling me they’ve never misbehaved?” asked Mpundu.
“I have more development than any other MP in this country. I have more tangible development in Nkana [constituency], on record, than three quarters of those who are singing praise. As an example, I can tell you, in Kitwe, there are five constituencies; I have 14.3 kilometres of tarred roads, which you’ll never find in the other constituencies.
The next constituency in Kitwe, out of the five, which has got some semblance of tarred roads, is Kwacha, where there is an MP for UPND but they only have 1.3 kilometres. On top of the 14.3 kilometres, I have 7.8 kilometres which is the first concrete road in the whole country, called Chibuluma road. I have done more developments in Nkana than all those who are singing praise. So it is not true to suggest that when you sing praise is when you are going to receive more development”.
Mpundu added that he would contest the August general elections as a presidential candidate.
🇿🇲 EDITORIAL | Opposition Discovers the Convenience of 2025 Law Amendment
We are now watching the afterlife of the 2025 constitutional amendment process, formerly known as Bill 7. The country has moved from fierce resistance into the practical stage of implementation, with the Electoral Commission beginning preparations for delimitation. What is striking is not the reform itself, but the speed with which some of its loudest critics are now positioning themselves as beneficiaries and advisers.
This week, lawyer John Sangwa, now operating on the political stage under the Movement for National Renewal project, publicly argued that Lusaka alone should have as many as 30 constituencies. Not asked. Not prompted. Declared. The same political space that spent months warning against delimitation is suddenly making expansive proposals about how far it should go. The question writes itself. What changed?
And Sangwa is not alone. Patriotic Front figures such as Miles Sampa have also joined the conversation with ease, speaking confidently about the need for more constituencies and greater representation in Lusaka. But these are among the very actors who helped fuel the loud national campaign against the amendment process, describing it as illegitimate, dangerous, and unaffordable.
This was not mild disagreement. The opposition ecosystem ran a serious propaganda campaign against the reforms. There were press conferences, daily denunciations, and even highly theatrical “Black Friday prayers,” with some clergy drawn into political mobilisation, framing the constitutional amendment as an assault on democracy. The President was accused of manipulating institutions. Parliament was scandalised. The entire process was branded a rigging scheme even after the vote passed.
And yet, here we are.
The same actors who said Zambia could not afford more constituencies are now demanding more seats. The same voices who described the amendment as authoritarian are now discussing constituency arithmetic with confidence. The same leaders who promised that once they return to power they will “reverse everything” are now adapting to the very framework they called illegal.
This is not principle. It is opportunism.
A constitutional amendment does not become acceptable because opposition politicians have discovered how to use it. Delimitation does not become democratic because it might create new political openings. If the argument then was cost, legality, and national interest, those standards did not expire when the law was enacted. If the argument now is representation, then representation was not invented in February.
This is the oldest Zambian political habit: denounce reforms when they are not in your hands, embrace them once they become negotiable. The Constitution becomes a weapon in opposition and a tool in ambition. The country is asked to treat yesterday’s “dictatorship bill” as today’s “needed reform.”
The deeper contradiction is legal as well as moral. You cannot campaign for office under a constitutional order and then promise to nullify that order after winning without collapsing the legitimacy of your own mandate. If the system is unlawful, then the elections it structures are equally compromised. You cannot call the rules illegal until you see a path to benefit from them.
This is why Zambians are exhausted. Politics has become performance before it becomes governance. Leaders speak in absolutes when resisting power, then speak in technicalities when chasing it.
If Lusaka deserves more constituencies, argue it honestly, consistently, and with costed realism. If the 2025 constitutional amendment had defects, propose reforms through lawful and coherent processes. But Zambia cannot keep normalising selective constitutionalism, where the same law is cursed in opposition and celebrated in calculation.
Here is the blunt truth: many politicians were never opposed to delimitation. They were opposed to delimitation under someone else’s presidency.
