Socialist Party leader Dr. Fred M’membe has issued a stark warning about the state of Zambia’s judiciary following the leak of an audio recording allegedly involving Minister of Community Development Doreen Mwamba and Patriotic Front (PF) MP Robert Chabinga. The recording, now submitted to the Pretoria High Court by the Lungu family’s legal team, purportedly details efforts to influence South African judges regarding the burial of former president Edgar Lungu.
The government has dismissed the audio as fabricated, citing possible AI manipulation—a claim met with skepticism by analysts. M’membe, however, described the recording as evidence of a broader assault on judicial independence. “This is not merely a moral failing but a systemic governance crisis,” he stated during a press briefing at his party’s headquarters. “Our courts must serve justice, not political agendas.”
M’membe condemned the alleged interference in South Africa’s judicial process as an overreach of executive power. “Attempting to sway courts in another sovereign state is unacceptable. It undermines the rule of law both domestically and internationally,” he said.
He further accused the UPND government of eroding Zambia’s constitutional safeguards by appointing political allies to key judicial and legal positions. “Multiparty democracy was hard-won, yet it is now being hollowed out—not through force, but through calculated influence.”
M’membe criticized the lack of response from Zambia’s judicial oversight bodies, including the Chief Justice, the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). “The audio has sparked regional attention, yet our institutions remain silent. Their inaction speaks volumes,” he noted.
He dismissed the government’s claim that the audio was AI-generated as “an affront to public intelligence,” emphasizing that the content’s specificity and verifiable details render such explanations implausible. “This tactic sets a dangerous precedent—allowing any damaging evidence to be dismissed as fabricated.”
M’membe demanded a parliamentary inquiry and the resignation of any officials implicated in the scandal. He also urged South African authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly, warning that judicial tampering across borders violates international norms.
Civil society groups, including Transparency International Zambia, have called for forensic analysis of the audio and the suspension of involved officials pending investigation. Meanwhile, human rights lawyers suggest South African courts could pursue contempt charges if evidence confirms attempted interference.
The UPND government maintains its stance, with media director Mark Simuuwe reiterating that the audio is a fabrication designed to distract from the administration’s development agenda. “We will not be sidetracked by baseless allegations,” he asserted.
Public sentiment, however, appears skeptical. Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism under the hashtag #LunguAudio, with many demanding accountability.
For M’membe, the scandal transcends immediate political fallout. “A judiciary compromised by the executive signals the decline of democracy itself,” he warned. “Without urgent corrective measures, this government’s legacy will be the erosion of Zambia’s democratic foundations.”
Iam not a supporter of this fox Fred who hid his political intentions in a newspaper called the Post. How cunning! But let’s forget that and I will agree with M’membe on UPND’s manipulation of our institutions
The Judiciary and legislature are separated for our own national interests but HH and his party have decided to destroy these institutions’ independence. What’s worse is all citizens are silent about this manipulation of the chief justice and the speaker. Everywhere we have weak lawyers, weak civil bodies, weak citizens, weak unethical professionals all just waiting to be offered a bribe to ukulyabwino while they shut up about these political manouvers. What a country!
What Mmembe is saying will only be validated once there is change of government. Remember the only people defending these wrong things now are those being paid, those eating crumbs falling off government and relatives. The economy is on its knees since 2021, and was by far better during PFs tenure. The PF that they fear so much and systematically destroyed And on Saturday, they are in church
It certainly is true that Zambians are ethically weak and will accept a bribe to wrongly do propaganda for UPND. Where is Field Ruwe? Please say something about the new job of bootlicking in Zambia
Another useless chap this Membe guy.If there is on person Zambia should not allow near power,its this old man.Let him just end like this making noise.After HH in 2031, we are grooming young leaders to take over for another 20yrs until 2051.How old are you going to be ba Membe?Keep on dreaming sir
Where was this hypocrite Maembe when PF leadership and MCS presidency were ignoring court orders left and right? Now suddenly he’s self righteous ?
Membe, so you’re saying the judges aren’t making decisions based solely on the law and facts of cases but UPND? You don’t have to answer because I know purely know how you’re constantly seeking relevance. Have the UP in power governing the country is crucial for maintaining public trust in the judiciary and upholding the rule of law which was completely lost in the low life PF regime. Stop inciting division in the country. You go ahead and become a full-time farmer which is great for food security.
UPND has just failed. But opposition is fragmented and in ICU, partly stated sponsored confusion, partly inflated egos to come together, partly false over confidence, ati I came out nunber 3 in the last Presidential elections,how, when you were even defeated by rejected ballots