STOP BEHAVING LIKE TOOTHLESS BULLDOGS, KAMPYONGO TELLS LUBINDA LED PF FACTION
SHIWANG’ANDU PF MP Stephen Kampyongo has described his expulsion from the party by the Given Lubinda-led faction as illegal.
And Kampyongo has appealed to party leaders to exercise wisdom, and stop behaving like “toothless bulldogs”.
Meanwhile, Mpika PF MP Francis Kapyanga says his expulsion is an imaginary action by people whose arrogance and pride tell them that they still have power.
On Saturday, the Lubinda led PF faction held a conference, and expelled among other members Kampyongo, Kapyanga, Brian Mundubile, Mutotwe Kafwaya, Davies Chisopa, Lukas Simumba and Japhen Mwakalombe for attending the Tonse Alliance faction elections.
“In this regard, the Central Committee resolved that the following individuals, among others who attended the purported illegal Tonse Alliance elections, have relinquished their membership of the Party by their actions and conduct: Hon Brian Mundubile, Hon Stephen Kampyongo, Hon Lukas Simumba, Hon Francis Kapyanga, Hon Japhen Mwakalombe, Hon Davis Chisopa, Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya, Hon Melisiana Chibwe, Hon Emmanuel Tembo, Hon Lazarous Chungu, Mr Abuild Kawangu, Mr Mwila Yumba, Mr Daniel Mwango, [and] Mr Luka Monta,” read the central committee resolution.
But in an interview, Sunday, Kampyongo said his expulsion was illegal.
“First of all, I haven’t received any official communication and two, I’m still a loyal member of the central committee as we await the determination of the matters in court. So, I don’t know of any legally called central committee [meeting] which I missed and where such actions were taken. Formal communication, is well-established in the way of communicating matters of the party. The Patriotic Front is not like a farm where one would just wake up and start chucking out people as they wish. It’s not a personal farm, it’s an organisation. So, until I get formal communication, I can’t make any further comment. [The expulsion] can never stand, it can never stand in any manner, in any form, because it’s illegal. I’m just appealing to the leadership, those who are leaders of the PF, to exercise wisdom and stop behaving like toothless bulldogs,” said Kampyongo.
Meanwhile, Kapyanga charged that the Lubinda-led PF faction is simply a cartel that was in charge of demolishing PF.
“The purported expulsion is an imaginary action by people whose arrogance and pride, tell them they still have the influence and they still have the powers; [but] they don’t have any. My appeal to all of them is that let’s get united. They cannot win elections without us the serving members of parliament who are loyal, we are the people that have been keeping structures, we are the people that have been keeping the party moving. The same expulsion they are talking about is a persecution. They don’t have a party but they still have the arrogance to even expel others from the same group. It’s just a group, there is no party whatsoever, they themselves have taken the party to our opponents,” he said.
“It’s just a cartel that is in charge of demolishing PF, even this expulsion is part of the demolition. Who would actually explain a move of expelling members of parliament every day, expelling people from a party that cannot even go out to go and mobilise? They can’t even hold a rally. They don’t have a president, they don’t have a party, they don’t have candidates to run for parliamentary and local government [elections] in August 2026 elections. Whenever they meet, they are plotting confusion, even when president Lungu went to UKA, the same people brought confusion in UKA until UKA was brought down. President Lungu formed Tonse [Alliance], they started plotting, until they faced resistance. The same people auctioned the party. These same faces are the same faces that made us lose power. They’ve blocked the conference, whenever they congregate, they are plotting confusion. They are saying they’ve expelled me; I don’t even know what I have done”.
He stressed that he had been persecuted since the death of former president Edgar Lungu.
“Immediately when president Lungu died, I knew some of us would be persecuted because they did not like anyone who was closer to president Lungu. Immediately when he died, I knew we would be persecuted. We are being persecuted because we were adopted to stand on PF by president Edgar Chagwa Lungu, we are being persecuted because we were closer to president Edgar Chagwa Lungu. This has not started today, they have lied about us members of parliament, they’ve lied despite the fact that whenever one of them is arrested, we are the ones that sign police bonds for them. Most recently, I was appearing before court for signing a police bond for one of them and I paid K100,000,” Kapyanga added.
“I was appointed to the Tonse Alliance Council of leaders by president Lungu, they withheld my letter of appointment. Four months later, after he had died, that’s when Zumani Zimba revealed that president Lungu had appointed me to the Tonse Alliance council of leaders. Look at the calibre of the central committee members they are appointing now, I mean, not the period of [Michael] Sata, not the period of Edgar Lungu, look at the calibre of MCCs, anything that praises one of them, even just a passer-by can be appointed as a central committee [member] for as long as that passerby dances and praises them for destroying the party. On their MCC blog, they quarrel from 06:00 hours up to 01:00 hours, [then] they just sleep a bit. When they wake up in the morning, they continue quarrelling but that’s not politics”.
Kapyanga further condemned PF faction acting chairperson Jean Kapata for threatening violence.
“I have read somewhere where honourable Kapata was saying that she will physically come for us, that’s very unfortunate, coming from someone who should be a source of wisdom for the young politicians and someone who should be in the forefront calling for unity. Honourable Kapata and her team lost power, maybe they’ve forgotten, let me remind them. They lost power, the same power that we collectively fought for, they lost it in 2021 and on top of that, they took our party to our opponents. I don’t know why we’ve been persecuted in our own party, I’ve just been a proponent for a convention where we can elect a leader to shepherd us and this is not new,” said Kapyanga.
On the other hand, Simumba said he would not acknowledge his expulsion until he received official communication.
“My attention has been drawn to media reports suggesting my expulsion from the Patriotic Front (PF). I wish to state that I have not received any official communication from the party regarding this matter. As a dedicated member and Provincial Youth Treasurer for Muchinga Province, I understand that such significant decisions follow a clear internal procedure and are not conducted through media statements or social media.
Until I am formally served with official communication on the party’s letterhead, bearing the clear signatories and details of the authority behind it, I remain a loyal member of the Patriotic Front. I believe it is prudent to await proper and lawful channels of communication, especially in the current climate,” said Simumba.
🇿🇲 EDITORIAL | Harry Kalaba Should Build, Not Borrow a Funeral
Jean Kapata’s revelation that Harry Kalaba is waiting on the Patriotic Front to “first elect a leader” before joining hands should ring alarm bells for anyone serious about Zambia’s political future. It is not unity being proposed here. It is succession to a wreck.
“I was very happy when I received a call from Honourable Harry Kalaba,” Kapata said, recounting a message that was simple and calculated: finish your convention, then we are on board. This line alone exposes the gamble. Kalaba is not offering ideas. He is waiting for a structure. A ready-made skeleton. A party whose best days are behind it.
Kalaba reportedly told Kapata, “We don’t want to fight over the issue of presidency. Let us meet together and come up with one leader.” That sounds noble on the surface. In reality, it is a refusal to do the hardest work in politics: building patiently from the ground up. Unity without vision is not strategy. It is convenience.
This is where history matters. Kalaba left the PF during the Edgar Lungu era citing corruption and bad governance. He presented himself as a clean break from a party that had become synonymous with cadres, violence, and ethnic mobilisation. That decision earned him some credibility, even in defeat. But credibility is fragile. You don’t preserve it by circling back to the same house you escaped, hoping the paint has dried.
PF today is not a platform. It is a dispute. Jean Kapata herself spent the evening warning against “fake movements” and insisting that “there has never been anything called the ECL/PF Movement.” She urged respect for Edgar Lungu “even in death,” while simultaneously presiding over a party that cannot agree on who speaks for him, who leads it, or who owns its future. This contradiction is the PF’s daily reality.
Kalaba knows this history. He lived it. He lost with it. Now he appears willing to re-enter it under the banner of opposition unity. That is not bold politics. It is short-term thinking.
PF is shrinking, not consolidating. Its internal wars have expelled MPs, fractured alliances, and frozen conventions in court. As one analyst recently put it, PF is no longer organising for power; it is organising for survival. Hitching your future to that moment is not coalition-building. It is political inheritance of debt.
Come August, the electorate will not be voting on nostalgia. As Davis Mwila bluntly observed, there may be “no PF, only memories” – memories of violence, cadres, tribal rhetoric, and name-calling. Those memories still repel swing voters, urban youth, and undecided professionals. No amount of alliance arithmetic will erase that.
Kalaba’s real opportunity lies elsewhere. He has time. He has name recognition. He has distance from the PF’s worst years. If he continues to build his own party, clarify his ideas, and stay away from the PF style of politics, he may not win in August, but he positions himself for relevance beyond it. Politics is not always about the next election. Sometimes it is about the next decade.
Borrowing PF structures may offer instant crowds, but it comes with inherited baggage. You don’t climb out of a burning building by running back in to rescue the furniture.
Harry Kalaba should resist the temptation to be buried with the PF coffin while he is still alive. Build your own house. Even if it takes longer, it will still be standing when the dust settles.
2026 ELECTIONS WILL BE A REFERENDUM ON MPS’ PERFORMANCE
As Zambia moves closer to the 2026 General Elections, one thing is becoming increasingly clear — this election will not just be about party popularity or campaign promises. It will be about performance, particularly that of Members of Parliament (MPs).
Since 2021, MPs have had unprecedented access to resources through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. This fund was designed to bridge development gaps and empower communities to identify and implement local priorities through Ward Development Committees (WDCs), using participatory tools such as Peerwise Ranking.
The CDF presents a historic opportunity for MPs to deliver tangible development — clean drinking water, improved roads, quality schools, and better health facilities. However, not all have seized it. Some MPs have chosen to ignore community priorities, using CDF to reward party loyalists or pursue personal gain.
For such leaders, the blame lies squarely with themselves. The electorate is now more aware and more discerning. In 2026, voters are unlikely to be swayed by rhetoric or political allegiance. They will be asking one simple question: “What has my MP done for my community?”
The message is clear — CDF was not created for political patronage, but for development. Any MP, whether from the ruling party or the opposition, who has failed to deliver visible progress on the ground should not expect a vote of confidence from the people.
The 2026 elections, therefore, will not merely test political slogans. They will measure results.
🇿🇲 BRIEFING | Nkandu Says Kambwili’s Politics No Longer Connects After Kasama Loss
UPND deputy spokesperson Elvis Nkandu has publicly challenged Patriotic Front member Chishimba Kambwili to step back from frontline politics, arguing that his confrontational and divisive style has lost relevance with voters.
The remarks follow Kambwili’s statements in Kasama, where he criticised President Hakainde Hichilema and Vice President Mutale Nalumango for not physically attending the funeral of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu’s wife. Kambwili later amplified the issue during the Kasama mayoral by-election campaign, framing it as evidence of alleged regional neglect and using it to mobilise voters along tribal lines.
Kambwili also mocked UPND campaign methods, dismissing party leaders as “singing and dancing” and confidently predicting their defeat in the by-election. The outcome, however, went against that forecast, with the UPND winning the Kasama mayoral seat.
Appearing on Diamond TV last night, Nkandu said the election result exposed what he described as Kambwili’s central political weakness
“Kambwili is my brother, but his problem is his mouth,” Nkandu said. “He proudly said, ‘abena Nkandu twalabacita ububi, twalabapasa because they are just singing and dancing.’ I’m happy that through that so-called singing and dancing, we still won the by-election.”
Nkandu argued that Kambwili has repeatedly struggled to accept electoral outcomes, often shifting narratives after defeats. He pointed to what he called contradictory messaging, where Kambwili first claimed dominance on the ground in Kasama, then later suggested that some political parties would be confined to specific regions during future general elections.
According to Nkandu, such rhetoric reflects a political approach that no longer resonates with a changing electorate.
“It’s high time Kambwili accepts that the kind of politics he and his group practiced in the past is over. When your time is up, you must be honest with yourself,” he said. “Sometimes it’s important to reflect on your life and what you are going through because people use and leave.”
Nkandu warned that continued efforts to force relevance through inflammatory statements would only deepen Kambwili’s political isolation, adding that recognising when to step aside is part of political maturity.
“Kambwili said a lot when he was in Kasama, but I think it’s time my brother should rest in peace,” Nkandu said, clarifying that he was speaking politically, not personally.
Congratulations to the people of Northern Province for reminding us of what Zambia can and should be. Your action stands as a moral statement to the rest of the country, a clarion call that national consciousness must rise above narrow loyalties. Some will insist this cannot happen in certain provinces. Others will argue it will not happen in August. That resistance itself reveals how deeply the problem runs. The truth is painful, but it must be spoken, because a nation cannot heal from a wound it refuses to acknowledge.
Zambia is divided. Tribalism sits at the centre of that division. It breeds suspicion, resentment, exclusion and quiet hatred. It turns neighbours into rivals, citizens into strangers and politics into a contest of surnames rather than ideas. It rewards mediocrity when it wears the right identity and punishes excellence when it does not. In doing so, it kills merit, destroys trust and poisons national cohesion.
This issue disturbs me deeply on a personal level. My son Mwamba Mugwagwa Mutubila is of mixed parenthood. Which tribe does he belong to. What box does he fit into in a system obsessed with labels. There are millions of Zambians like him today. Children who embody the future of this country, yet are forced to inherit divisions they did not create. A nation that defines belonging by tribe condemns such children to confusion, rejection and silent discrimination.
When votes are dictated by tribal affiliation rather than performance, accountability collapses. Failure is tolerated. Corruption is excused. Incompetence is defended simply because it comes from one of our own. The result is poor governance, economic stagnation, deepening poverty and a growing sense of injustice among citizens who feel permanently locked out. Tribal politics does not only divide us emotionally. It impoverishes us materially.
I know that speaking this truth invites criticism. That criticism itself proves how normalised this disease has become. Silence would be easier. Silence would also be dishonest. We cannot continue burying our heads in the sand and pretending all is well.
Tribal affiliation must be banished from our politics. Let us differ on ideas, policies and visions for development, but never on identity. To all political parties the message is clear. Speak about governance. Speak about the economy. Explain how you intend to change the fortunes of our people for the better.
A nation only stands tall when tribe dies. As long as tribe lives in our politics Zambia will limp. When love for country defeats loyalty to tribe, Zambia will rise.
*DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this article are purely those of its author and may not reflect the views of Zambian Day – this publication. In the interest of fostering a culture of true public debate and facilitating the airing of divergent views, this publication hosts commentary and analysis of issues of public interest by different schools of thought to enrich the public discourse.
ZAMBIA HAS ENTERED THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OF POVERTY – KOPULANDE
People’s Party (PP) President Sebastian Kopulande has questioned the notion that the United Party for National Development (UPND) government has ushered Zambia into the Champions League of the world’s best economic performers.
Kopulande, who is vying for the Repuican Presidency in August, rubbished the Champions League claim first uttered by underperforming President Hakainde Hichilema, because vital statistics have show that extreme poverty has worsened in Zambia since 2022, under the hand of the UPND.
Quoting…..
ZAMBIA HAS ENTERED THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OF POVERTY – KOPULANDE
People’s Party (PP) President Sebastian Kopulande has questioned the notion that the United Party for National Development (UPND) government has ushered Zambia into the Champions League of the world’s best economic performers.
Kopulande, who is vying for the Repuican Presidency in August, rubbished the Champions League claim first uttered by underperforming President Hakainde Hichilema, because vital statistics now show that extreme poverty has worsened in Zambia since 2022, under the hand of the UPND.
Kopulande, in a PP Policy Document on Economic Empowerment, said for too long, the wealth of Zambia has remained concentrated in the hands of a few while the majority, 15.62 million people, are living below US$3.00 a day?
“Now, remember in 2022, we were ranked 6th poorest country in the world with 60% of the population(12millionpeople)living below US$2.15 a day. My brothers and sisters, the question therefore is: have we really joined the ranks of the Champions League?
“Now, remember, in 2022,we were ranked 6th poorest. Visual Capitalist, an online publisher of economic data worldwide, now ranks Zambia as the 5th poorest nation in the world, with 71.7% living below US$2.15 a day. This means that since 2022, under the UPND in government, extreme poverty has increased in Zambia by nearly 12%,” Kopulande has observed.
After identifying some of the structural and governance factors responsible for this grim economic reality, Kopulande then outlines some of the policy measures his People’s Party is proposing, to enhance tangible empowerment of Zambian citizens.
The Zambian Whistleblower has posted the PP Policy document for you Zambians to debate as you prepare to choose who should lead the country after the August presidential and general elections.
The fact UPND won in Kasama doesn’t mean I’m unpopular in Lukashya – Chisanga
Lukashya member of parliament George Chisanga (PF) says the fact that the Tonse lost the mayoral elections to the UPND in Kasama does not mean that he is unpopular
Kasama is made up of two constituencies, Kasama-Central and Lukashya. During the just ended by-elections, the UPND obtained most of the votes in their win from Lukashya, where Chisanga is member of parliament.
Asked over the weekend if the same raised questions on his own popularity in the area, particularly that he was the campaign chairman, Chisanga defended himself, and accused the UPND of having won the elections through stealing. https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/the-fact-upnd-won-in-kasama-doesnt-mean-im-unpopular-in-lukashya-chisanga/
Claims That We Have Handed Over FDD to Brian Mundubile Are a Joke of the Year -Dr Chifumu Banda
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Chifumu Banda has dismissed as misleading and laughable claims by the Brian Mundubile-led Tonse Alliance faction that Mundubile will contest as a presidential candidate on the FDD ticket.
Dr Banda rubbished the assertions, stating that FDD has not been handed over to anyone and cannot be imposed as a personal political vehicle for any individual.
He clarified that FDD was only identified as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under a collective understanding within the Tonse Alliance, and that any candidate intending to contest on the FDD platform must first be agreed upon by all alliance members.
Tonse Alliance remains an unregistered political formation, it legally requires a fully registered political party with the Registrar of Societies to act as an SPV hence the faction’s interest in FDD.
However, following Mr Banda’s remarks on Diamond TV, uncertainty now surrounds which political party Brian Mundubile will ultimately use to advance his presidential ambitions, if any.
UNDERSTANDING ZESCO’s BILLING SYSTEM IN THE ERA OF 24-HOUR POWER SUPPLY
THE recent resumption of 24-hour electricity supply by ZESCO marks an important milestone for Zambia’s power sector. Improved rainfall patterns and the coming on board of new power stations have significantly eased pressure on the national grid, bringing an end to prolonged load management. The article is long but will help you understand what really happening. Please read!!!!
However, alongside this welcome development, many households and businesses have reported faster consumption of prepaid electricity units, leading to concerns and widespread claims that ZESCO is “deducting units” or “speeding up meters.”
To separate fact from perception, I undertook an independent assessment of the ZESCO billing and metering system. The findings are clear and worth stating upfront.
WHAT ZESCO CANNOT DO
1. ZESCO cannot deduct units that have already been purchased Once electricity units are loaded onto a prepaid meter, they belong to the customer. The meter is a certified measuring device and cannot remotely remove units arbitrarily.
2. ZESCO cannot increase the speed at which a meter consumes units
Prepaid meters measure actual electricity usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh). They do not “run faster” when power supply improves. Consumption only increases when more electrical energy is used.
So What Is Really Happening?
The increase in unit consumption is real, but it is driven by changes in usage patterns, not by billing manipulation. Several factors explain this shift.
1. LOWER CONSUMPTION DURING LOAD SHEDDING
During load management, households and businesses: • Used electricity for fewer hours per day • Delayed or reduced use of energy-intensive appliances • Loaded units that lasted longer because power was not always available
As a result, electricity consumption was artificially suppressed. Now that power is available 24 hours a day, normal usage has resumed and in many cases increased.
2. SHIFT FROM ALTERNATIVE ENERGY BACK TO ELECTRICITY
With stable power supply: • Many households have moved back from gas stoves to electric cookers • Electrical geysers, kettles, irons, and heaters are being used more frequently
Cooking and water heating are among the highest electricity-consuming activities in a home, significantly raising monthly usage.
3. INVERTERS AND SOLAR SYSTEMS STILL DRAW FROM ZESCO
During load shedding, many households installed:
• Inverters • Solar systems with battery storage
What is often overlooked is that:
• Batteries are frequently recharged using ZESCO power when supply is available • This creates additional electricity demand, even when lights and appliances appear to be running on “backup power” This charging load adds quietly but significantly to total consumption.
4. EMERGENCY TARIFFS HAVE BEEN REMOVED
During load management, ZESCO introduced emergency tariffs to facilitate power imports. These tariffs were higher and temporary.
With improved generation capacity:
• Emergency tariffs have been suspended • The country has reverted to normal tariffs approved by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB)
Importantly, tariffs have not increased recently. What has changed is how much electricity consumers are now using.
UNDERSTANDING ELECTRICITY TARIFFS IN ZAMBIA
ZESCO uses a progressive residential tariff structure, meaning the price per unit increases as consumption rises. This system protects low-income households while encouraging energy efficiency.
SUMMARY OF ZESCO RESIDENTIAL TARIFF BANDS
The ZESCO residential electricity tariff is structured into four progressive bands based on monthly electricity consumption:
• Band R1: For consumption between 0 and 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, the tariff is K 0.35 per kWh. • Band R2: For consumption between 101 and 200 kWh per month, the tariff is K 1.00 per kWh. • Band R3: For consumption between 201 and 400 kWh per month, the tariff is K 2.42 per kWh. • Band R4: For consumption of 401 kWh and above per month, the tariff is K 3.45 per kWh.
This progressive structure means that electricity becomes more expensive per unit as total monthly consumption increases.
HOW BILLING WORKS: A SIMPLE EXAMPLE (153 kWh)
• First 100 kWh at R1: 100 × K 0.35 = K 35.00 • Remaining 53 kWh at R2: 53 × K 1.00 = K 53.00 Electricity subtotal: K 88.00
Government taxes are then applied: • Excise Duty (3%) • VAT (16%)
This progressive structure explains why higher consumption results in a higher average cost per unit, even though lower bands remain subsidised.
WHAT THE NUMBERS SHOW
When taxes are included, the effective average tariff rises with usage: • 100 kWh → ~K 0.42 per kWh • 200 kWh → ~K 0.81 per kWh • 400 kWh → ~K 1.85 per kWh • 1,000 kWh → ~K 3.21 per kWh
This is deliberate policy design, not a billing error. The price you pay depends on the usage of power. This was designed to benefit low income households who usually use less power.
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Across Southern and Eastern Africa: • Zambia remains among the lowest-cost electricity markets for residential users at low consumption levels • Progressive tariffs are standard practice in countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia • Higher-use consumers everywhere pay more per unit to support system sustainability
Zambia’s structure is therefore not unusual, and in fact remains relatively consumer-friendly for low-usage households.
CONCLUSION: WHAT HAS REALLY CHANGED?
ZESCO has not: • Deducted previously purchased units • Manipulated meters • Quietly raised tariffs
What has changed is: • Continuous power availability • Higher appliance usage • Recovery of outstanding fixed charges • Return to normal consumption patterns
Understanding how electricity is billed, especially under a progressive tariff system, is essential for households and businesses to plan, budget, and manage energy use effectively. As Zambia moves into a period of improved power stability, energy efficiency and informed consumption will matter more than ever.
SOME ‘expelled’ Patriotic Front (PF) lawmakers have accused party faction leader Given Lubinda of being surrounded by amateur politicians, resulting in him making wrong and unjust decisions.
This follows resolutions made on Saturday by a Lubinda-led central committee, which expelled several legislators despite the recent court ruling that Mafinga MP Robert Chabinga is the legitimate PF president.
Among the purportedly expelled MPs include Shiwang’andu’s Stephen Kampyongo, Brian Mundubile of Mporokoso, Lunte’s Mutotwe Kafwaya, Nakonde’s Lukas Simumba, Emmanuel Tembo of Feira, and Francis Kapyanga of Mpika.
These MPs got expelled for having attended what Mr Lubinda’s central committee termed as “illegal Tonse Alliance elections”.
But Mr Simumba and Mr Tembo have rejected the expulsion, saying no official letters have been served to them.
Mr Tembo wondered which legitimate central committee Mr Lubinda used to expel him and other legislators.
“Mr Lubinda claims to be in politics for a long time, but he can’t make a proper decision. As far as I am concerned, no official letter was served to me giving reasons for my expulsion,” he said.
“You see, Mr Lubinda is surrounded by amateur politicians, no wonder he has been making wrong decisions. In fact, what Mr Lubinda is doing is very unZambian.”
And Mr Simumba is unaware of his expulsion, stating that he is still a loyal and bona fide member of PF.
Mr Simumba said he has not received any letter with the party logo indicating that he has been expelled.
“I don’t react to things that are on social media. I’m waiting for the official letter from the purported people saying they have expelled me,” he said.
VIEWPOINT | Zambia’s Stock Market Boom Says More Than Politics Will Admit
While Zambia’s political debate remains dominated by claims that “nothing has changed, since 2021” the country’s financial markets are delivering a different verdict. From early this year, the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) has become one of the best-performing stock markets in the world, forcing a harder conversation about what economic progress actually looks like and how long it takes to reach ordinary households.
According to Bloomberg market data, LuSE’s benchmark index is up nearly 17% in U.S. dollar terms so far this year. This performance ranks Zambia second out of 92 global stock exchanges tracked, beaten only by Bulgaria. It places Lusaka ahead of far larger emerging markets such as South Korea and Colombia, and well ahead of most African peers. Nigeria, often cited as Africa’s market bellwether, trails with gains of about 8% over the same period.
This matters because global markets have been uneven at best. Inflation hangovers, geopolitical risks, and slowing growth in advanced economies have weighed on investor sentiment. Against that backdrop, Zambia’s equity rally stands out as a rare bright spot.
What is driving the rally?
The first and most obvious engine is copper. Prices have surged to around US$13,000 per metric tonne, consecutive record highs that directly benefit Zambia’s export earnings, fiscal outlook, and mining balance sheets. For investors, copper is not just a commodity. It is a signal. When copper is strong, Zambia’s macro story improves almost automatically.
The second driver is currency performance. The kwacha has appreciated by nearly 12% against the U.S. dollar, making it one of the strongest-performing currencies tracked by Bloomberg this year. For foreign investors, currency stability is critical. Equity gains mean little if they are wiped out by exchange-rate losses. Zambia is currently offering both.
Third is the broader macro backdrop. After drought-induced shocks in recent years, agricultural output has improved and electricity generation has stabilised. These are not headline-grabbing reforms, but they matter deeply to productivity, costs, and confidence. Markets tend to reward predictability before they reward prosperity.
Mutisunge Zulu, Chief Risk Officer at Zambia National Commercial Bank Plc, captured this shift in sentiment succinctly when he noted that:
“The bourse is increasingly serving as a barometer of Zambia’s economic trajectory, signaling resilience.”
He added that: “The index now tells a coherent story of mining–energy interdependence, balance-sheet strengthening, and improving investor confidence.”
This language may sound technical, but its meaning is simple. Investors are reading Zambia as a country that has stopped free-falling and started stabilising.
This did not start yesterday.
LuSE’s momentum did not suddenly appear in 2026. In August 2025, the exchange recorded a 14.3 percent gain in a single month, one of the strongest monthly performances globally at the time. That rally coincided with progress on debt restructuring, easing inflation pressures, and clearer policy signalling.
Over time, Zambia’s equity market has also broadened. Listed firms such as Zambia Sugar Plc, Standard Chartered Bank Zambia, and Pamodzi Hotels Plc anchor the exchange, providing sectoral diversity beyond mining alone. Liquidity remains limited by global standards, but depth is improving.
Where does the IMF fits in?
This stock-market surge is unfolding just as Zambia exits its IMF Extended Credit Facility programme, having restored a measure of fiscal credibility after years of distress. IMF programmes are often unpopular politically, but markets tend to view programme completion as a seal of discipline. It signals that macro controls are back in place, debt has been restructured, and policy surprises are less likely.
Foreign reserves are rising. Inflation is trending downward. Borrowing costs are moderating. These are not abstract indicators. They are the foundations on which investment decisions are made.
Why people say “we feel nothing”?
The opposition’s argument is emotionally powerful: markets, reserves, and IMF praise do not buy mealie meal. That critique is not entirely wrong. Stock markets move faster than living standards. Capital reacts before wages do. Stabilisation always precedes distribution.
But dismissing these indicators as meaningless misses the sequence of economic recovery. No country fixes jobs, incomes, and services while its currency is collapsing, its debt is unsustainable, and investors are fleeing. Markets are not the destination. They are the early warning system that the direction has changed.
The uncomfortable truth
Zambia’s stock-market rally does not mean prosperity has arrived. It means the economy has stopped bleeding and is starting to heal. The benefits will not automatically trickle down. They require policy choices, time, and political discipline.
But it also means the claim that “nothing is happening” is no longer supported by the data. Something is happening. Quietly. Unevenly. Imperfectly. And, as markets are now signalling, in a direction that global investors recognise long before voters feel it.
The real political test is not whether the rally exists. It is whether leaders can convert this fragile confidence into jobs, incomes, and services before public patience runs out.
The European Union has committed US$130 million to the Lobito Corridor project, a major regional infrastructure initiative expected to transform how Zambia and its neighbours move goods to international markets. The corridor links Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito, offering an alternative route for exports, particularly minerals.
Supporters of the project say improved rail and road networks will cut transport costs and reduce delays that have long affected exporters. For a landlocked country like Zambia, reliable access to ports is essential for sustaining trade competitiveness.
The funding is also expected to stimulate economic activity along the corridor, attracting private investment and supporting job creation. Authorities believe this could benefit sectors beyond mining, including agriculture and manufacturing.
As demand for minerals remains strong, efficient logistics corridors are becoming increasingly important. The Lobito Corridor is now positioned as a strategic route in Zambia’s long-term trade and infrastructure planning.
TRUMP THREATENS TO SUE AFRICAN LEGEND TREVOR NOAH!
President Donald Trump is going after South Africa’s own Trevor Noah with legal threats after the comedian made an Epstein Island joke at the Grammys!
During his final year hosting the Grammys, Trevor Noah joked: “Since Epstein’s gone, he needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.”
Trump fired back at 1 AM on Truth Social, calling Noah **”a total loser”** and vowing to send his lawyers after him for what he called **”false and defamatory”** statements!
But Trevor Noah isn’t backing down! This South African king has been fearless for 6 years hosting the Grammys, and he’s not afraid of anyone—not even the President of the United States!
Africa stands with Trevor! When you come for one of ours, you come for ALL of us! This is what happens when African excellence meets American power—and we don’t bow!
RUSSIA REFUSES TO SEND FORCES TO DEFEND IRAN AGAINST THE US — SOUTH AFRICA TRIES TO PLAY HERO ALLYING WITH IRAN WHILE GLOBAL POWERS PUSH BACK, LEAVING SMALLER COUNTRIES IN A DANGEROUS SPOT
In a recent statement, Russia made it clear that it will not send its military forces to defend Iran if the United States were to take action against Tehran. Despite their strategic partnership, Moscow emphasized that there is no formal obligation to intervene militarily, and any conflict would be Iran’s responsibility to handle. Instead, Russia is relying on diplomatic and political measures to voice opposition, but no troops or direct military support will be deployed.
This development has put other countries, including South Africa, in a difficult position. South Africa has tried to position itself as a supportive ally of Iran, speaking out against potential U.S. aggression and calling for dialogue. However, the reality of global politics is stark: smaller nations attempting to play hero often face resistance or isolation from more powerful countries.
Experts say that while South Africa may be trying to assert influence and defend its principles, the refusal of a major power like Russia to back Iran militarily shows the limits of support for smaller nations in high-stakes conflicts. The situation highlights the tough choices countries face between standing by allies and recognizing the power dynamics of the world stage.
💬 What do you think: Should countries like South Africa continue to take bold diplomatic stances even when larger powers pull back, or is it wiser to prioritize safety and alliances with more influential nations?
TREVOR NOAH SAYS TRUMP WANTS GREENLAND BECAUSE EPSTEIN’S INFAMOUS ISLAND IS GONE — COMEDY, CONTROVERSY, AND THE DARK TRUTH BEHIND JEFFREY EPSTEIN’S PRIVATE CARIBBEAN PLAYGROUND
At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Trevor Noah made a bold and controversial joke that grabbed headlines and sparked outrage. He quipped that Donald Trump wants Greenland “because Epstein’s island is gone,” implying that the former president might need somewhere else to hang out with powerful friends. The joke touched a nerve — Trump publicly denied ever being to Epstein’s island and threatened to sue Noah for defamation, calling him “a total loser.”
So why does Epstein’s island matter? Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender, owned private islands in the Caribbean, most famously Little St. James. On these islands, survivors and authorities say Epstein trafficked and abused young girls while using his wealth and influence to host wealthy and powerful guests. The islands became notorious symbols of Epstein’s crimes and the dark circles of power around him.
After Epstein’s death in 2019, his islands were sold, and the mystery, scandals, and allegations around them continue to captivate the public. The joke by Noah wasn’t just a throwaway line — it touched decades of outrage, open investigations, and cultural anger about Epstein’s abuse network.
Now, this punchline has turned into a public battle, with threats of lawsuits and heated discussions about where comedy ends and serious commentary begins.
💬 What do you think: Was Trevor Noah’s joke fair satire of public figures and power, or did it cross a line? Should comedians tackle these dark truths with humor, or are some topics too serious for punchlines?
MOROCCO PULLS OUT AS WAFCON 2026 HOST AMID AFCON FINAL FALLOUT
MOROCCO has unexpectedly withdrawn as hosts of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), a dramatic decision that comes barely two months before the tournament is due to begin and in the wake of bitter recriminations following the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
South Africa was confirmed as the replacement host on Sunday night, with the announcement made by the country’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, during the Super League Awards ceremony in Johannesburg.
“Tonight I would like to announce that South Africa will be hosting the 2026 WAFCON, which we all know is a qualifying tournament for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil,” Mabe said.
While no formal explanation has been issued by the Moroccan authorities, the withdrawal follows weeks of intense public anger and political debate inside the country after Morocco’s 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the AFCON final in Rabat – a match that descended into disorder and left a lasting scar on the tournament.
That final, played just weeks ago, was marred by protests, a temporary walk-off by Senegal’s players, confrontations involving supporters, and a series of disciplinary sanctions issued by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Although Senegal emerged as champions, the scenes overshadowed what was intended to be a showcase event for African football, hosted at Morocco’s expense and under its organisational leadership.
In the aftermath, emotions in Morocco ran high. Public discourse, both online and offline, became increasingly heated, with many Moroccan citizens openly questioning the country’s continued role as a host of major CAF competitions.
Senegal won the final against Morocco Senegal won the final against Morocco Calls grew louder for Morocco to withdraw from hosting WAFCON 2026, with critics arguing that the country had become the target of relentless accusations despite its heavy financial and logistical investment in African football.
Others across the continent, however, accused Morocco of reacting poorly to defeat, branding the withdrawal as the act of a “bad loser” still smarting from the AFCON final loss to Senegal.
That narrative gained traction as CAF rejected a bid by the Moroccan Football Federation to have the AFCON final result overturned, reinforcing the sense that Morocco had been left isolated after the controversy.
From the Moroccan perspective, the anger has been fuelled by a belief that its commitment to African football has not been adequately recognised. In recent years, Morocco has hosted multiple major CAF competitions, investing heavily in stadiums, training facilities, logistics and security often at significant national cost.
Within Morocco, there is a growing sentiment that instead of appreciation, the country has faced sustained criticism, scrutiny and blame whenever controversy arises.
Those feelings were amplified after the AFCON final, when sanctions were handed down not only to Senegalese officials and players but also to Moroccan ball boys, supporters and federation officials.
While CAF insisted the penalties were applied in line with its disciplinary code, the episode intensified perceptions within Morocco that hosting tournaments had become more liability than honour.
The AFCON final was full of chaos Against that backdrop, Morocco’s withdrawal from WAFCON 2026 is widely seen as the culmination of mounting frustration rather than an isolated decision.
The timing just 60 days before the tournament is scheduled to kick off underscores the depth of the breakdown between public sentiment, national pride and continental football politics.
For CAF, the decision created an urgent crisis. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has expanded to 16 teams and serves as a qualifying pathway for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, making organisational stability critical.
South Africa’s swift confirmation as hosts has helped avert disruption, but the sudden switch places enormous pressure on the new hosts to deliver on short notice.
South Africa, winners of the tournament in 2022, now inherit both opportunity and responsibility. The country has proven infrastructure and recent experience hosting elite women’s football, but the late change leaves little margin for error.
The episode also highlights broader tensions within African football governance, where hosting major tournaments has become increasingly politicised.
Morocco’s exit raises uncomfortable questions about the sustainability of CAF’s reliance on a small group of willing host nations and what happens when goodwill erodes.
CAF is yet to comment publicly on Morocco’s withdrawal or on the circumstances surrounding it.
However, with the tournament dates already fixed and qualification pathways at stake, the focus has shifted firmly to South Africa’s ability to stabilise the situation and ensure that WAFCON 2026 proceeds as planned.
Behind the scenes, though, Morocco’s shock decision has laid bare the emotional and political cost of hosting continental competitions especially when pride, pressure and perception collide on African football’s biggest stages.
TUNISIAN PRESIDENT EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR ANOTHER 11 MONTHS
TUNISIA’S President Kais Saied has extended the country’s long-running state of emergency for another 11 months until the 31 December.
The emergency law gives the authorities exceptional powers, including the right to carry out home arrests, ban official meetings, impose curfews, censor the media, and prohibit assemblies without permission from the judiciary.
The state of emergency was first declared on 24 November 2015 following a bomb attack on a bus carrying the presidential guards. Twelve agents died in the incident.
It has remained in effect continuously since then through repeated extensions.
Hundreds of people took to the street of Tunis earlier this month, amid growing discontent over Saied’s increasingly authoritarian rule.
During a sweeping power grab in July 2021, he suspended parliament and expanded executive power so he could rule by decree.
Since then, he has jailed many of his critics. Saied says his actions are legal and aimed at ending years of chaos and rampant corruption.
MAKEBI ZULU WARNS ZAMBIA MAY FAIL TO MEET AU ELECTORAL STANDARDS IN AUGUST ELECTIONS By Cecilia Zyambo Patriotic Front-PF- presidential hopeful Makebi Zulu is calling for strict monitoring of the 2026 general elections by foreign observers, non-governmental organizations and well-meaning Zambians to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Zulu has warned that Zambia risks failing to meet the African Union’s recommendation of conducting credible, transparent and peaceful elections ahead of the August 2026 general elections.
He has alleged that most Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ- officials are aligned with the ruling UPND, a situation he claims could compromise the conduct of free and fair elections.
Mr. Zulu has emphasized that only strict and independent monitoring of the electoral process would help the country deliver credible elections.
But ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro has maintained that the Commission conducts electoral processes that are transparent, credible and beyond reproach.
Mr. Kasaro says although members of the Commission are appointed by the President, their appointments are ratified by Parliament. Meanwhile, UPND Deputy Secretary General Getrude Imenda has dismissed Mr. Zulu’s remarks as mere politics. Ms. Imenda says ECZ officials were appointed on merit and noted that many of them have continued serving from the previous administration. PHOENIX NEWS
POWER MUST NOT BE WON THROUGH TRIBAL DIVISIONS-KABIMBA
By: Agness Nakazwe
Economic Front (EF) leader Winter Kabimba has urged politicians to refrain from making tribal remarks in their pursuit of political power.
Mr. Kabimba observed that some politicians mistakenly believe they can secure electoral victories by appealing to tribal sentiments during radio programmes or campaign activities.
Featuring on Power FM, Mr. Kabimba stressed that Zambia requires a strong opposition capable of providing effective checks and balances on the ruling party.
However, he emphasized that this must be achieved on merit rather than through the promotion of tribal divisions.
He cautioned that politicians who resort to tribal discourse do not act in the country’s best interest, describing such conduct as dangerous and a threat to national unity. #SunFmTvNews
Police release a man who claimed to have turned female!
Police in Chipata have released a man who was detained on the pretext that he was a woman after all tests on unnatural offenses came out negative.
Elias Tembo, who was trading at a night club as Rita Jere before his detention, has been reunited with his family at Chigogo village in Paramount Chief Mpezeni.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has confirmed the release.
On January 28, 2026, police detained Elias Tembo for allegedly masquerading as a female prostitute to deceive men for monetary gain.
Further revelations saw Elias Tembo being in a relationship for seven days with Isaac Mwale of Eastrise Township, who confirmed customary rites.
Further investigations have revealed that Elias Tembo was born a man according to the mother and grandfather interviewed at Chigogo village.
Proposed Debt Swap Framework for Civil Servants in Zambia (for Public Debate). ————————————————————————- “The proposed Debt Swap Programme is not a bailout and must not create a new fiscal burden.” – SCC. ———————————————————————— Background and Problem Statement
Zambia’s civil service remains the backbone of public service delivery. However, a growing number of civil servants are trapped in unsustainable personal debt, largely driven by high-interest loans from commercial banks and microfinance institutions tied to payroll deductions.
In many cases, civil servants take home little to nothing after statutory deductions and loan repayments. Some payslips show zero or negative net pay, undermining morale, productivity, family stability, and ultimately the quality of public service delivery.
This situation is no longer a private financial matter. It constitutes a systemic risk to public administration, workforce efficiency, and national development.
Policy Objective
The Proposed Debt Swap Framework for Civil Servants seeks to:
(a) Restore the financial dignity and productivity of civil servants
(b) Reduce exposure to predatory lending and excessive interest rates
(c) Stabilise household incomes while maintaining fiscal discipline
(d) Improve public service delivery by reducing financial stress in the public sector
We propose that Government introduces a structured, voluntary Debt Swap Programme, guided by the following principles:
1. Proposed Consolidation and Refinancing of Existing Debt
It is proposed that Government, through a designated financial vehicle, such as a state-backed facility or approved partner banks, shall buy out or refinance existing high-interest loans owed by civil servants to commercial banks and microfinance institutions.
These obligations shall be consolidated into a single loan facility with transparent terms, eliminating multiple deductions, overlapping repayments, and opaque charges. The objective is to replace fragmented, high-cost debt with one affordable, predictable, and manageable repayment structure.
2. Lower Interest Rates and Longer Repayment Periods
Under the Debt Swap Framework, refinanced loans shall be issued at concessionary interest rates, significantly below prevailing commercial and microfinance rates. These rates must reflect the low-risk nature of payroll-deducted lending, rather than profit-maximising margins.
Repayment periods shall be extended to medium- and long-term tenures, calibrated to civil servants’ income levels, in order to ensure affordability and sustainability. This structure aims to rebalance debt servicing in a way that guarantees:
(a) A reasonable and predictable take-home pay
(b) Reduced monthly repayment pressure
(c) Improved household financial stability
(d) Lower default risk within the payroll lending system
Crucially, this framework recognises that financial relief is not achieved through loan forgiveness, but through fair pricing of credit and realistic repayment horizons aligned with income realities.
3. Payroll-Based Repayment with Safeguards
Loan repayments shall continue through payroll deductions to preserve discipline and recovery certainty. However, deductions shall be capped by policy, ensuring that no participating civil servant falls below a defined minimum net-pay threshold.
This safeguard protects workers’ dignity and productivity while maintaining the integrity and sustainability of the lending system.
4. Eligibility and Targeting
The programme shall be voluntary and targeted, with priority given to:
(a) Lower- and middle-income civil servants
(b) Teachers, health workers, and frontline service providers
Clear eligibility criteria will ensure the intervention is focused on relief and stability, not indiscriminate expansion of credit.
5. Financial Literacy and Borrowing Controls
To prevent recurrence, the proposed Debt Swap Programme shall be accompanied by:
(a) Mandatory financial literacy and debt management programmes
(b) Stronger regulation of payroll-based lending
(c) Borrowing limits linked to net income, not gross salary
This ensures that relief is durable and that systemic weaknesses are addressed.
Fiscal Responsibility and Risk Management
The proposed Debt Swap Programme is not a bailout and must not create a new fiscal burden.
(a) Government DOES NOT ABSORB PRIVATE DEBT; rather, it facilitates refinancing and restructuring
(b) Private lenders are paid, but excessive interest margins are curtailed
(c) The framework should be cost-neutral or self-financing over time
Expected Outcomes
If properly implemented, the proposed policy will:
(a) Increase civil servants’ net take-home pay
(b) Improve morale, focus, and productivity
(c) Reduce absenteeism and moonlighting
(d) Strengthen public service delivery
(e) Stabilise household economies and reduce social stress
Conclusion
Civil servants cannot deliver national development while trapped in perpetual debt. A well-designed Debt Swap Framework offers a balanced, disciplined, and sustainable solution, one that protects workers, maintains fiscal responsibility, and restores dignity to public service.
This proposed policy is not about handouts. It is about systemic reform, fairness, and sustainability. This is important to do because a productive civil service is a prerequisite for a productive nation.
Yours Truly,
Hon Sunday Chanda – MP Kanchibiya Constituency
Note:
This discussion is not about politics. It is about identifying and implementing sustainable solutions.
I followed intensely the career of Steven Zimba and his compatriot Patrick Chinyemba. These two remained the most promising amateur boxers we had for big international competitions.
Zimba was our main boy at the Tokyo Olympics. He later performed well at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and eventually got awarded Certificate of Merit for his performance.
He then went off the radar!
So, to see the statement from Zambia Army – his ex employers – depicting him as a rogue character made sad reading. What went wrong with our national hero who donned our national flag at international boxing events? It is just few years ago we were busy cheering the boy as he knocked out opponents.
Did the system fail him? Or have we – Sports Administrators – failed him? Shouldn’t we have done more to help him overcome whatever is happening with him? I feel sad! We should share the blame as Sports Administrators.
Hakainde Hichilema turns to Ghana for lessons in gold management
GHANA’S President John Mahama will this Wednesday arrive in Zambia for a three day State Visit, with President Hakainde Hichilema seeking to draw lessons from Ghana’s management of its gold sector.
President Mahama’s visit, scheduled from February 4 to 6, 2026, is at the invitation of President Hichilema and follows Zambia’s growing interest in ensuring that gold benefits all citizens rather than fuelling conflict and illegal mining.
President Hichilema has repeatedly pointed to Ghana as a model in gold management, saying Zambia must avoid “rivers of blood” that minerals have created in some African countries.
Last Tuesday, while receiving credentials from diplomats at State House, President Hichilema said he had invited his Ghanaian counterpart specifically for Zambia to learn from Ghana’s experience in managing its gold sector.
The President revealed that Zambia had already taken steps in that direction, having last year dispatched a delegation led by Mines and Minerals Development minister Paul Kabuswe to Ghana to study how the West African nation manages its gold resources.
The visit also builds on President Hichilema’s own State Visit to Ghana in July 2023.
According to Ghana’s credible news platforms, between 2021 and 2025, the West African nation significantly transformed its gold sector by increasing its gold reserves from eight tonnes in 2023 to about 35 tonnes by 2025.
According to the reports, the reforms strengthened foreign exchange reserves, stabilised the currency and earned that country an estimated US$5 billion through greater state ownership and control of the subsector.
President Hichilema has from time to time emphasised that Zambia’s minerals must benefit all Zambians and not illegal miners.
Recently, the Zambia Army deployed troops to Kinkonge Gold Mine in Mufumbwe District to curb illegal mining, with Army Commander Lieutenant General Geoffrey Zyeele warning that those operating outside the law would face severe consequences.
Confirming the visit in a statement, acting Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Rodney Sikumba said President Mahama’s trip is a reciprocal engagement following President Hichilema’s visit to Ghana and builds on the outcomes of the Second Session of the Zambia–Ghana Joint Permanent Commission held in Lusaka in October last year.
Sikumba noted that visit also underscores the long standing cordial relations between Zambia and Ghana, founded on Pan-African solidarity, shared values and a mutual commitment to advancing Africa’s development agenda.
“During the visit, the two Heads of State will hold bilateral talks at State House in Lusaka to provide strategic direction on priority areas of cooperation,” he said.
“The discussions are expected to advance the implementation of existing Memoranda of Understanding between Zambia and Ghana across various sectors, with a view to promoting trade, investment, and private-sector partnerships.”
In addition, Sikumba said President Mahama will on Thursday, 5th February 2026, address the Zambian Parliament.
“The address will provide an opportunity for the President of Ghana to engage Zambia’s legislators on shared democratic values,” he shared.
“On 6th February 2026, President Hichilema and President Mahama will attend the Zambia–Ghana Business Forum, aimed at promoting trade and investment opportunities, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
Sikumba explained that priority areas of cooperation to be advanced during the visit apart from mining value addition include agriculture and food security, energy, waste management and the circular economy, trade and investment, commodities exchange systems, as well as skills development and emerging technologies, including Fintech.
President Mahama is expected to depart Lusaka immediately after his official engagements.
MINISTRY of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, says the increased and stable power supply the country is currently experiencing is a result of government interventions put in place to address the power deficit.
Speaking when he featured as a guest on Millennium Radio programme dubbed ‘The Interview’, Mr Kawana stated that the various measures that the government has been implementing have contributed to the stable supply of power.
He said President Hakainde Hichilema is on record assuring the nation during a media engagement last year that the measures which were being taken by the government to address the power crisis would come to fruition in December 2025 and beyond.
“Earlier last year, during a press briefing on the country’s energy crisis, the President made it very clear that the measures being put in place would begin to materialise and yield results in 2026. By the time we reach December 2025, we expect to see an improvement in power supply,” he said.
The Information and Media Permanent Secretary cited the introduction of open access as one of the interventions that have helped in stabilising power in the country.
Mr Kawana said during the radio programme that the introduction of open access has enabled independent power producers to participate in both the import and export of electricity.
“Among the measures we put in place is open access, which meant that independent power producers also come on board to participate, not just Zesco; they too can sell and export.
So what is happening now is that independent producers are part of those importing and exporting power,” he explained.
He further revealed that the mines are currently not entirely dependent on Zesco for power, as they also purchase from independent power producers.
He added that the development has resulted in some power being freed from Zesco, hence the power stability in the country.
Mr Kawana further noted that President Hichilema has demonstrated strong leadership by promoting alternative sources of power such as solar and wind.
He cited Chisamba, Kitwe and Chipata as some of the districts where solar plants have been set up with a view to address the power deficit in the country.
Mr Kawana has since expressed optimism that Zambia will soon move from being an importer to a net exporter of power in the region.
He said the alternative sources of energy being put around the country are yielding results, as evidenced by the stable supply of power being enjoyed currently.
Mr Kawana has meanwhile disclosed that Maamba Energy under Phase Two is expected to add 300 megawatts of thermal power and 100 megawatts of solar power, a development which will further improve electricity supply in the country.
Commenting on the cost of power, Mr Kawana explained that during the erratic supply of electricity, Zesco applied to the Energy Regulation Board for an emergency power tariff, which was going to give citizens access to more power, though at a slightly higher cost.
He pointed out that Zesco introduced two bands, which meant that the more people use power, the more one would pay.
Mr Kawana highlighted that residential and industrial players have their own tariff Zesco plan.
He has since encouraged the public to use power cautiously, noting that households pay less when they consume less electricity.
ZESCO BOARD CHAIRPERSON EXPLAINS REDUCTION AND FAST DEPLETION OF PREPAID ELECTRICITY UNITS
By Cecilia Zyambo ZESCO Board Chairperson Vickson N’cube has attributed the recent reduction in the amount of prepaid electricity units given to customers to the new Energy Regulation Board-ERB tariff model, which took effect on 1st November last year.
Mr. N’cube explains to Phoenix News that under the new ERB model, customers are now expected to receive about 35 units for every K100, depending on their consumption category.
He says the newly approved electricity rates are publicly available, and consumers are encouraged to compare them with the previous tariffs.
Mr. N’cube added that the increased availability of power in recent months has also contributed to higher electricity usage and faster depletion of prepaid units, as more households and businesses are now able to access and utilize electricity consistently. PHOENIX NEWS
In the middle of a routine bill signing, Trump dropped a blunt bombshell: the Venezuela operations leaker has been caught and locked up.
No drama, no spin — just a calm admission that someone who endangered U.S. operations is now behind bars.
He didn’t mince words either.
Trump said the person is “in jail right now” and called them “a very bad leaker” who will “probably be in jail for a long time” — which is exactly what should happen when you compromise sensitive missions.
Meanwhile, the same media that treats leakers like celebrity “whistleblowers” will undoubtedly flinch at this.
They never seem bothered when classified plans are exposed, only when someone actually enforces the law.
In contrast, Trump framed it the way any serious commander-in-chief should: leaking on active operations in places like Venezuela isn’t a game, it’s a direct threat to American lives and national security.
That’s not “resistance,” that’s sabotage.
This is the split-screen: DC insiders treat leaks as politics, Trump treats them as a crime — and now one of those “anonymous heroes” is learning what that really means.
If you want more straight talk like this, follow this page for daily updates.
VICE PRESIDENT NALUMANGO SET TO DEPART FOR THE WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT IN DUBAI
VICE President W.K. Mutale-Nalumango is set to depart for the World Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The high-level Summit will be held from February 3-5, 2026, with the theme “Shaping Future Governments.” The global platform will bring together leaders and experts to discuss emerging governance models and new approaches to public administration.
This year’s Summit is expected to attract an unprecedented number of participants, including over 35 Heads of State, 150 Governments and 500 Ministers. Key discussions will centre on international cooperation, technological advancement, sustainability and economic growth, reflecting the world’s shared commitment to building resilient and forward-looking governance systems.
The United Arab Emirates’ authorities anticipate that the 2026 edition will be the largest and most diverse gathering in the Summit’s history, underscoring its growing significance on the global stage.
Dr. Nalumango’s participation demonstrates Zambia’s dedication to engaging with international partners, advancing national development objectives, and taking part in global conversations on good governance.
Liftery Ndaba has made it! As a councillor , I’m compelled to share my testimony of the remarkable transformation at Lusaka City Council under his leadership as Town Clerk, alongside Mr. Phiri as Director of Finance, and many others not forgetting ba mayor. Before they took office, the council was plagued by alias, ghost workers, and crippling arrears.
Workers were crying, protesting, and complaining about unpaid salaries and allowances. The streets were dirty, facilities were run-down, and the council’s finances were in shambles. It was a shame to be a council worker, and people would stigmatize you just because of your affiliation. But those days are over, thanks to Mr. Ndaba and his team.
But the moment they took over, everything changed. The problems that had plagued the council for years began to disappear. The streets are now cleaner, facilities are renovated,and workers are paid on time. Toilets are renovated, offices are modernized, and Wi-Fi connects every corner of the Civic Centre. The council chamber is at a verge of being renovated, and CDF disbursements are faster than ever,slowly turning Kalikiliki Ward into half London.
Most importantly, they’ve brought up mechanisms for the council to generate revenue, making Lusaka City Council the most financially stable it has ever been. This financial stability has enabled them to implement various projects and improvements, benefiting the people of Lusaka.
I attribute this transformation to Mr. Ndaba, Mr. Phiri, and many others who are working tirelessly behind the scenes. They’re a formidable team, dedicated to their work, and always available to serve. Unlike other town clerks, Mr. Ndaba is always in the office, clearing documents, and attending to every client with dedication. He’s a rare breed of leader who goes to meetings and comes back on time, ensuring that work doesn’t suffer.
Lusaka was once the lowest, but since they took over, it’s become the most well-performing city in Zambia. It’s a shining example of efficiency and transparency, and I proudly say that Lusaka cannot be compared to any other city. Workers are no longer complaining about unpaid salaries or house rentals, and our facilities are a testament to their hard work. I’ve seen it firsthand – Mr. Ndaba, Mr. Phiri, and their team are game-changers.
Mr. Ndaba is representing the government very well, and has removed the shame that Lusaka had been carrying for so long. It’s no longer shameful to be a worker in Lusaka, thanks to his hard work. He’s done a remarkable job on behalf of the President of Zambia, and I’m sure His Excellency is very happy with the progress being made in Lusaka.
But I also want to address a sad trend that’s been happening at the Civic Centre. We’ve seen instances where hardworking individuals are fought by unknown people, left centre and right, until they’re chased away and transferred to far-off places. It’s a tactic used by haters to undermine progress and chase away good people. And sadly, some people are just born to do evil.
They hide behind Christianity, gender, or other masks, but their intentions are clear. They ask for favours or try to push their own agendas, and when they’re refused, they become enemies. They’re the ones spreading negativity and trying to bring others down. But we’re not going to let them succeed.
We appreciate Mr. Ndaba, Mr. Phiri, and their team, and we want them to continue doing what they’re doing. They’re upright men, ones I’ve never met in my life, and they deserve recognition. In fact, I believe Mr. Ndaba is worthy of higher office, such as Lusaka Province Minister. Let’s support Mr. Ndaba, Mr. Phiri, and their team, and give them the backing they deserve.
GHANAIAN PROPHET NIGEL GAISIE RECOUNTS CLAIMED FIRST FACE-TO-FACE ENCOUNTER WITH GOD IN TELEVISION INTERVIEW
By: OMG Voice
Ghanaian cleric Prophet Nigel Gaisie, founder and leader of the Prophetic Hill Chapel, has publicly recounted what he describes as his first personal encounter with God, an experience he says occurred before he entered full-time ministry.
Speaking in an interview aired on Ghana Television (GTV), Gaisie claimed he had a face-to-face spiritual encounter in which he received what he described as a divine mandate.
According to him, the experience happened while he was lying down with one of his spiritual sons, who now resides in Canada, when his bed began to shake and he fell into a deep sleep.
Gaisie told the interviewer that during the experience, an image appeared on a wall and spoke to him.
He described the image as radiating light and “bubbling like many waters,” adding that while he could not clearly see its eyes, he saw what he described as a glowing forehead and hair “like wool,” resembling an aged white man.
He further claimed the figure’s feet appeared “like a lamb” and that the voice identified itself as the Lord, commissioning him to do God’s work.
The prophet also shared his belief about spiritual encounters, stating that angelic appearances, in his view, occur in the transitional moment between sleep and wakefulness. #SunFmTvNews
Pator Kingsley Okonkwo, a popular preacher in Nigeria who has been trending for his sermons about life and marriage, has set the internet ablaze with an action he took on his 50th birthday.
People do different things on their birthdays to make it memorable and special.
Some donate to the orphanage, support health screenings for communities, dine with market women, or even visit inmates who have not experienced pure love since their sentences.
This Nigerian pastor has raised the bar to a new level by getting an inscription on his body to celebrate his 50th birthday, which has raised eyebrows.
Reactions from the Nigerian Christian community indicate they need an explanation of whether the pastor’s action is acceptable or if he is now going astray.
Most Christians believe tattoos are an abominable behavior in the religion and such actions must never be tolerated, but this, coming from Kingsley Okonkwo, has confused.
An audio was attached to the trending video of Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo getting inked with the Roman numerals 3 and 16 ( III and XVI).
The audio was a recitation of John 3;16, one of the most famous Bible verses in the world.
Wawwu !
Nigerian Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo of DC is trending online after revealing a John 3:16 tattoo on his wrist, and is currently sparking conversations all across social media.
This news has spread like wildfire, but the pastor has yet to address the general public; however, some also believe that his being a preacher should hinder his happiness.
Some Christians are asking how they would make amends with their friends and relatives who got chastised for drawing tattoos.
In a normal African setting, people with tattoos are perceived to be rebellious, but it seems Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo will be pardoned.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 people took part in an emotional silent march in Copenhagen on Saturday, organised by Denmark’s Veterans’ Association, to protest comments by US President Donald Trump that were seen as downplaying the role of non-US NATO troops in Afghanistan.
The association had expected just over a thousand participants, but Danes turned out in large numbers despite subzero temperatures, marching in support of veterans and in memory of the 44 Danish soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan. Police told AFP they estimated the crowd was “at least 10,000,” while organisers put the figure at between 8,000 and 10,000.
Trump sparked outrage in Denmark and across Europe on January 22 when he said European NATO troops had “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines” during the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan. Denmark fought alongside US forces not only in Afghanistan, but also during the Gulf War and in Iraq.
The march began at Copenhagen’s Kastellet, where a short ceremony was held at the monument to fallen soldiers before participants proceeded silently toward the US embassy, about two kilometres away.
“The demonstration is called #NoWords because that really describes how we feel. We have no words,” the association’s vice president, Soren Knudsen, told AFP. “Obviously, we also want to tell Americans that what Trump said is an insult to us and the values that we defended together.”
Some demonstrators carried red-and-white Danish flags, while others wore military uniforms. The procession remained completely silent, with no chanting or slogans. Many participants appeared sombre, and some were visibly emotional.
“We’re very happy that so many people turned out,” Knudsen said outside the US embassy, noting that veterans from the United States and other European countries had also joined the march.
“What Trump said was very insulting,” said Henning Andersen, a 64-year-old who served as a Danish UN soldier in Cyprus. “I have friends who were down there. Some of them were wounded, and they carry the war with them even today. He’s saying things he doesn’t know the full truth about.”
A 58-year-old member of Denmark’s home guard, who identified herself only as Orum, also condemned the remarks. “How can he even say that? It’s insulting,” she said, dressed in khaki fatigues and a green beret.
At the front of the march, protesters carried a large red banner reading “NoWords,” while others held hand-drawn placards. One read, “Trump is so dumb,” and another, held by a child, said, “Say sorry, Trump.”
Earlier in the week, 44 Danish flags bearing the names of the soldiers killed in Afghanistan were placed in planters outside the US embassy in response to Trump’s comments. The embassy initially removed the flags, later apologising and replacing them.
“We have nothing but the deepest respect for Danish veterans and the sacrifices Danish soldiers have made for our shared security. There was no ill intent behind the removal of the flags,” the embassy said in a Facebook post, adding that the planters were embassy property and that the original placement of the flags had not been coordinated.
On Friday, January 30, the US ambassador placed 44 Danish flags in the flowerbeds. On Saturday, January 31, 52 additional flags were added, with names inscribed on them, 44 for those killed in Afghanistan and eight for Danish soldiers who died in Iraq. A minute of silence was also observed outside the embassy, and one participant laid a wreath of red and white flowers.
Denmark has long described the United States as its “closest ally” and remains a strong partner, despite recent tensions over Trump’s expressed interest in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.
President Donald Trump escalated his long-standing criticisms of his predecessor on January 29, 2026, by publicly calling for the arrest of former President Barack Obama in a series of posts on his Truth Social platform.
In series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Obama of orchestrating a “coup attempt.”
According to him, Obama allegedly directed CIA agents to manufacture false intelligence regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The posts claimed this was done to undermine Trump’s “LANDSLIDE” victory and erode public confidence in American democracy.
One amplified post, which closely matches the content circulated online, stated that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had released “HUNDREDS OF BOMBSHELL RUSSIAGATE DOCUMENTS” proving Obama’s involvement.
It referenced Fox News host Jesse Watters’ comment that “whatever happens to these guys is not revenge… it’s accountability,” before concluding with the emphatic demand: “ARREST OBAMA NOW!”
The posts reflects earlier claims from July 2025, when Gabbard declassified documents alleging that Obama-era officials politicized intelligence to push a false narrative of Russian efforts to aid Trump’s election.
Gabbard described it as a “treasonous conspiracy” and referred the matter to the Department of Justice, though no charges have been filed against Obama.
Trump has repeatedly amplified these assertions, including sharing AI-generated videos depicting Obama’s arrest and labeling the actions as “treason.”
However, independent reviews and fact-checks have described the declassified materials as rehashing prior partisan interpretations.
The original 2017 intelligence assessment concluded that Russia’s interference was to Trump’s benefit.
LUSAKA MARRIED WOMAN IMPREGNANTED BY HER HUBBY’S BEST FRIEND OVER A K20 CREDIT
“My husband is still abroad for peace keeping mission”, she told the court.
A 21 year old beautiful married woman in Lusaka has been impregnated by her neighbor after she failed to pay back K20 credit and decided to square it off with seexxi.
Mrs Melody Nalwamba Mwale narrated in the Matero Local Court that her married neighbour Gabriel Siwale aged 30, had given her K20 on credit which she failed to pay back in good time and ended up sleeping with him to pay it off but unfortunately she got pregnant before her husband (Edgar Mwale a police officer) could return from peace keeping mission abroad.
“This man is married, I am not happy that he impregnated me over a K20 despite knowing that am also married. He has ruined my marriage and he is refusing to accept responsibility”, Melody told the court as she shaded tears.
Ironically, Melody who is now 5 months pregnant by another man over a K20, has been receiving her husband’s fully salary every month and the court wondered why she decided to sleep with another man over a small credit.
Mrs Mwale has a 2 year old child with her husband who is still abroad for peace keeping mission but decided to sleep with her hubby’s best friend when she got broke and ended up pregnant……… To be continued.
🤯💔AFRICA’S BIGGEST BETRAYAL: CHINA’S “FREE” GIFT HAD HIDDEN MICROPHONES 🇪🇹🇨🇳 🇪🇹🇨🇳
In 2012, China gifted Africa a shiny new African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
$200 MILLION. “Free” they said. Built by Chinese firms. Chinese materials. Chinese workers (alongside Ethiopians).
We celebrated. We thanked them. We moved in.
THEN IN 2018, LE MONDE NEWSPAPER DROPPED A BOMB:
– Confidential AU data copied to Shanghai EVERY NIGHT from 2012-2017 – Microphones and listening devices found hidden throughout the building – 5 YEARS of African secrets potentially compromised
China DENIED everything. Called it “absurd” and “groundless.”
BUT HERE’S WHAT THE AU DID NEXT :
– REPLACED all the servers – REFUSED Chinese help configuring the new ones
Actions speak louder than denials.
The lesson? There’s NO such thing as a free building. Every “gift” comes with strings – or bugs.
Africa must BUILD for Africa. BY Africans. Like Nigeria building NNS Oji. Like South Africa building the world’s largest reservoir.
When we build ourselves, we control our destiny. When others build for us, we surrender our sovereignty.
South African singer, Tyla, has emerged winner of the Best African Music Performance category at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, edging out top African stars including Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and Eddy Kenzo.
Tyla clinched the prestigious award with her song “Push 2 Start,” sealing a major career milestone and further cementing her status as one of Africa’s fastest-rising global music stars.
The category featured a highly competitive lineup of nominees. Davido was nominated with “With You” featuring Omah Lay, Burna Boy earned a nod for “Love,” Ayra Starr received recognition for “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid, while Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin were nominated for “Hope & Love.”
This victory for Tyla also makes her a two-time Grammy winner, having previously won one at the last Grammy Awards.
A video showing how Grace Nation church pastor, Chris Okafor, was welcomed back to church by his members is creating a buzz.
Chris Okafor stepped down temporarily after actress Doris Ogala accused him of a number of things shortly after his wedding.
Doris alleged he made her leave her marriage and started a relationship with her, only to abandon her to marry someone else. She asked who he was leaving her for and vowed to expose him.
She went on to allege that Chris Okafor engaged in a number of illicit and fetish activities.
Chris Okafor apologised to her via the pulpit and stepped down.
He returned to church today, Feb. 1, weeks after he stepped down.
Video of his return shows church members with placard and flowers welcoming him. On the placards, they wrote welcome messages and expressed their joy at having him back.
“The shephard is home,” one placard read.
“We love you always,” another read.
Other placards had messages that read, “Welcome home daddy” and “Your sheep await your blessings.”
A red carpet was spread on the floor in front of the building while members in uniforms stood by the side and Chris and his wife walked the carpet.
Chris and his new wife are then seen making a triumphant entry into the church hall as members flank them.
Later, an officiating minister lauded Chris as he welcomed him to the pulpit.
“We are back to do best what God ordained us to do,” Chris said as he got to the pulpit and did a synchronised dance with his wife.
Members are seen dancing happily, rejoicing over his return.
Zulu king wants foreigners out of SA SOUTH Africa’s Zulu king has raised eyebrows by using a highly derogatory term for foreigners and saying they must all leave the country during a much-hyped speech that was supposed to have been aimed at calming anti-migrant feelings in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Warning: This story contains language some people may find offensive Misuzulu kaZwelithini was addressing his supporters at the place where 20,000 Zulus warriors defeated a British contingent of 1,800 soldiers 147 years ago beneath the rocky outcrop of Isandlwana hill.
The Battle of Isandlwana, fought during the Anglo-Zulu war, is something many Zulus wear like a badge of honour: they fought against a foreign army and won – the foreigners were cowed.
The ire of many of King Misuzulu’s subjects is now directed not at British invaders but at migrants from neighbouring countries like Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe who have come to South Africa to work. According to official statistics, the country is home to about 2.4 million migrants, about 4% of the population.
The 51-year-old monarch did not advocate violence but said all “kwerekwere”, an offensive word for African migrants, must pack their bags – even if they were in relationships with South Africans and had children with them. “We must now sit down and discuss this because even if my nephew’s father is a ‘kwerekwere’, the ‘kwerekwere’ must leave, only the child will remain,” he said on Thursday to the delight of his audience – a response which prompted him to burst out laughing. Many online have been quick to point out the irony of his remarks, considering the king’s own mother was from Eswatini and one of his wives is also from the neighbouring kingdom.
But such xenophobic attitudes have long been an issue in South Africa, leading to deadly outbreaks of violence – and his comments echo those made by his late father Goodwill Zwelithini, who urged migrants in 2015 to “pack their belongings”. He later tried to back-pedal, claiming he was misquoted, but the country’s human rights body found his comments “hurtful and harmful”. More than a decade on, xenophobia and anger directed at migrants remain a key political issue – with some believing foreigners are stealing jobs and benefiting from public services meant for South Africans.
The rate of unemployment in the country remains one of the highest in the world at around 33%. This is something new opposition parties – like uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) led by former President Jacob Zuma, whose main support base is in KwaZulu-Natal – have latched on to with populist policies that support the expulsion of undocumented migrants. This has led in recent years to the rise of vigilante anti-migrant groups, like Operation Dudula and March on March, which have gained notoriety for their demands that foreign nationals be removed from the country. “Dudula” means “to remove something by force” in the Zulu language.
Their latest campaign took place a few days before the king’s speech and not long after the start of the academic year. An angry group of protesters descended on a primary school in the KwaZulu-Natal port city of Durban, claiming that 90% of the pupils there were the children of migrants.
The heated demonstration forced the school to call parents to come and collect the students because of safety concerns – and the next day a large contingent of police was deployed to the gates of Addington Primary School. The local authorities hit out at the organisers of the march, which was also supported by MK, and accused them of spreading misinformation.
“This has put a lot of people’s lives at risk. It is a lie that 90% of learners are children of immigrants. The truth is that immigrants form 37% of the learner population,” Mlu Mtshali, an education spokesperson for KwaZulu-Natal, told South Africa’s Daily Maverick newspaper. This prompted the education department to reveal that nationally, 253,618 foreign pupils are enrolled in South Africa’s public schools – 1.8% of all students. Of these, 14,929 are at public schools in KwaZulu-Natal.
Commentators have also pointed out that in South Africa, all children have a legal right to basic education, irrespective of their nationality or status in the country. Credit: BBC Kalemba, February 1, 2026
A sad incident has struck the Ghanaian community in Ohio, USA, after a business mogul passed away while he was working.
In the quest for a good living during their pension, Ghanaians abroad mostly work under any condition to ensure they are making enough money, and that was how Mr. Poku died.
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, during a snowstorm, the well-known business mogul in the Ghanaian community in Ohio, Mr. Poku, who is into shipping, went to load one of his containers.
The report indicates that people close to Poku informed him about the severity of the storm, alerting him to return home, but he wanted to finish loading the shipment before returning home since he had already.
After a long wait, the business never got home, so the his people called the Ohio Police to lodge a formal complaint about their missing friend.
When the Ohio Police arrived at where Poku was loading a container, his lifeless body was found in an ambulance that he had driven into the container as part of his shipment.
The cause of this sad news is yet to be uncovered, as the investigation continues, but rumours have it that Poku fell unconscious after he drove an ambulance into the container he was loading.
This narration is from a Ghanaian hustler in Ohio, USA, who was stating the ordeals of Africans abroad.
In a tragic incident, a well-known Ohio-based Ghanaian business owner, Mr. Yaw Poku, was reportedly found dead inside a shipping container on 24 January 2026.
According to reports, Mr. Poku was loading items for shipment to Ghana during a heavy winter storm on the night of the… pic.twitter.com/hToajyltnz
A former public relations agent for Michael Jackson has said he believes the late pop star was guilty of ch!ld @buse allegations levelled against him, despite Jackson being acquitted in court.
Vincent Amen, who worked for Jackson in the early 2000s, made the claim in a new Michael Jackson: The Trial documentary airing on Channel 4, which revisits the singer’s highly publicised 2005 court case.
Jackson was tried after allegations by a boy, Gavin Arvizo, who claimed the singer gave him alcohol, showed him pornography and committed acts of s3xual mol3station. The jury ultimately found Jackson not guilty of all charges. He died in 2009, four years after the trial, following an overdose of a prescription anaesthetic.
In the documentary, Amen says he came to believe Jackson was guilty and alleges there was a long-running cover-up to protect the star.
“I absolutely believe that Michael Jackson is guilty of ch!ld @buse and molestation,” Amen said. “I believe there was a cover-up for so many years.”
Amen said he joined Jackson’s inner circle in 2003 to help manage the fallout from the controversial Martin Bashir documentary Living With Michael Jackson. While preparing for the subsequent trial, he claimed he discovered a naturist magazine among Jackson’s belongings.
According to Amen, the magazine contained advertisements for videos of “n@ked kids” that he said were marked for order. “Finding that, I realised, ‘Something is going on here,’” he said. “Where there’s smoke, there is fire.”
Amen said the discovery made him feel misled and prompted him to speak to prosecutors, though he was never called to testify during the trial.
Reflecting on his actions, he said: “I do not have any regrets, when I saw something that was concerning, which I believe would indicate ch!ld s3x @buse, I did the right thing, and I came forward.”
The documentary also examines Jackson’s relationship with former friend and PR manager Frank Cascio. Cascio and his siblings, Aldo, Marie-Nicole, Dominic and Eddie, are now pursuing their own allegations of s3xual abuse against Jackson. The siblings had previously defended the singer but later claimed they experienced grooming, manipulation and molestation while in his company.
They are currently seeking to overturn a prior financial agreement with Jackson’s estate that prevents them from taking legal action. Commenting on Cascio’s shift in position, Amen said: “From what I know now, s3x @buse victims reveal information about their abuse piece by piece, over the years.”
In the years since Jackson’s death, further allegations have continued to surface, most notably through the documentary Leaving Neverland and its sequel, which focused on claims by Wade Robson and James Safechuck and the long-term personal and legal aftermath of their accusations.
