…as they condemn UPND for undermining democracy over Munir Zulu case
A coalition of opposition leaders and the civil society has accused the UPND government of orchestrating a calculated erosion of Zambia’s democratic values, warning that the recent treatment of Lumezi Member of Parliament Munir Zulu is indicative of a broader strategy to manipulate parliamentary representation and consolidate unchecked power.
Speaking during a joint press briefing on Tuesday, leaders from various opposition parties—including Fred M’membe – SP, Sakwiba Sikota, SC-UKA/ ULP, Ernest Mwansa, SC-ZWW, Given Lubinda-Tonse/ PF, Chishala Kateka-UKA/ NHP and Nkandu Luo-Tonse/ PF —described Hon Zulu’s arrest and subsequent legal troubles as politically motivated.
Bishop Trevor Mwamba-UNIP, Jackson Silavwe-GPZ, Peter Chanda-NCP, Thomas Zulu-Gen Z, Muhabi Lungu-ZWW, and Marian Mwango-SP formed part of the speakers.
They asserted that the ruling party is using state institutions to “steal seats they failed to win in the general election.”
“There is a disturbing trend here,” charged Dr. M’membe. “From Kwacha to Kabushi, to Kawambwa, Pambashe, Petauke which was narrowly rescued and now Lumezi! We are witnessing the abuse of legal and parliamentary procedures to dislodge opposition MPs and tilt the numbers in Parliament.”
At the centre of the latest storm is the handling of Munir Zulu’s seat.
The opposition has taken issue with the Speaker’s directive to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to begin the process of declaring the Lumezi seat vacant, despite the fact that Hon Zulu has not exhausted the legal channels available to challenge his conviction and sentencing.
“This is a direct assault on due process,” read Dr. M’membe. “No citizen, regardless of political affiliation, should be stripped of their seat without the benefit of a fair hearing. This is not justice; it is expedience masquerading as law.”
The opposition leaders argue that the ruling party’s endgame is to create an artificial majority in Parliament, enabling it to push through constitutional amendments without broad consensus—a move they warn would severely compromise Zambia’s democratic framework.
“If this continues,” warned Dr M’membe, “we will respond decisively. Lumezi will be the line in the sand. We will unite behind a single candidate and ensure the UPND suffers a humiliating defeat there. Let that be the message going into 2026: Zambia will not tolerate authoritarianism.”
The group further reiterated its willingness to engage in national dialogue, but took issue with what they see as President Hakainde Hichilema’s insincerity.
“We have asked for dialogue several times. We are not desperate to meet him, but we will not allow him to later claim we refused,” said Dr. M’membe. “Let him name the place, the time, and we will be there. But he must stop misleading the nation with empty rhetoric. Anasheko ubufi.”
In closing, the leaders called for urgent national introspection.
“Democracy is not just about elections. It’s about fairness, compromise, and justice. What’s happening now undermines all of that. Zambians are suffering. They want solutions, not schemes. If this trend is not arrested, our democracy is in serious peril,” they said.
Thats the way to go as a strong united oppostion is really needed
Good progress of trying to come together, though the coming together is still in murky waters. Here comes the challenge now – what is it that you are going to do to uplift the lively hood of the common man in view of lamentable failure by the party in government now. We are not interested in you just removing UPND, where is your joint plan – realistic economic plan with time frames – no more vama sworn in at 10hrs then bla bla bla at 14hrs. No
Let me take this time to address Lusaka Times.
You guys need to put the interests of our nation first and not your own personal interests.
Why are you not reporting more on the economy and how dismal it is performing?
Zambia Breweries just reported a K250 million loss, which is a major indication of where things are at. They cited the exact same reasons some of us have been crying about ever since our currency took a nose dive, currency depreciation, high inflation and load shedding. Other companies have closed down and more considering to move operations to our neighbors.
We clearly do not have an opposition in Zambia and even given them precedence in media coverage over the economy is a disservice to the country.
Ctn…Load shedding is bad because we prioritize the mines over other industries, exchange rate volatility is terrible because the so called investors are using up all the forex to purchase machinery and supplies they use in mining and not pumping it back into the economy, inflation has gone wild because you have over employed civil servants at the expense of the informal sector who are 50 times a bigger sector than govt. These simple areas if addressed will see our economy improve. No excuses of global recession and climate change are justifiable beyond a certain degree because how is it our neighbors have not been as badly hit as us???
Don’t participate in by-elections.
Fred is the only one coming close to intelligent leadership.
UPND should focused on helping form 2 strong opposition parties than abusing former Street kids who are now MPs like Munir, Zambia needs those kind in Parliament.
2020vision
Our neighbours have been equally hurt if not more considering Zambia is doing well economically , on paper……….
The only exception might be Bots and Namibia due to their low population, in the case of Bots…..wide spread use of solar energy, from very long time has helped.
Also none of our neighbours were bankrupt to the point of defaulting on loans like Zambia was…….
I believe things will definitely get cheaper for the cost of living from now going into 2026
FES2026
Where is the synchronised manifesto. You need to go and have a candid meeting as opposition and go and deliberate, lock yourselves up with each one with his executive, go and disagree, agree, fight, justify your points. Agree on appointments, then do a secret ballot and elect a flag carrier leader who can be marketed. We are also tired of your press briefings, we want to see you in Muyombe, Vubwi, Kalabo, Mwinilunga, the way Kalaba is doing, that is the energy we need, the way Sata was doing. Go and build a base on the ground, you new new name must be Tonse UKA alliance
Is Sampa’s PF not party of the alliance?
Talk is cheap. Let’s see the time of nominations.
They always have their tails up in Eastern Province
Munir Zulu broke the law. It is that simple.
Are you all saying that he was right to defame others? he was right to utter seditious statements?
The answer to these two questions, is NO
All you so-called opposition leaders should be upholding the law and not encouraging individuals to break it.
Question: The laws under which Munir Zulu was convicted were they passed by the current government?
Answer: No. They have been on the statute books for years.
Hope other MPs look at what happened to munior……..
I also blame Brian mundibile and given lubinda who were just watching and encouraging the chap to incriminate himself……..
Mr Mundibile , you were present at that press conference, you are a seasoned lawyer,………..
you should have advised the young man to keep his mouth shut on such slanderous matters…….instead you were just watching sitting next to him……..
Anyways , as the judge said at the trial , this is a good example to other young MPs
FWD2041