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The Bank of Zambia has noted that weakening economic growth, load shedding and tightening liquidity in Zambia are threatening financial stability in the market.
And the Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has maintained the policy rate, a key determinant in lending rates, at 10.25 percent.
BoZ Governor Denny Kalyalya says the committee took into account projected inflation remaining above the upper bound of the 6.8 percent target range, tightened liquidity and reduced production owing to electricity challenges.
Dr. Kalyalya noted that increased food prices owing to droughts in the last farming season have also had a negative toll on inflation.
He says the above factors required the upward adjustment for the policy rate but the Central Bank had to hold it pending some measures by the Ministry of Finance.
Speaking during the MPC quarterly briefing in Lusaka today Dr. Kalyalya noted that global growth has equally weakened with demand for copper by China having reduced owing to decline in investment in emerging markets and reduction in global trade due to ongoing trade tensions between the USA and China among others.
And Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor Operations Francis Chipimo said access to finance has remained a challenge for private sector growth and investment.
Dr. Chipimo however said there are a lot of developmental issues being undertaken aimed at enabling the financial sector mobilize savings and lend money to investors with ideas.
HH and President Lungu meet at late Munkombwe’s burial in Choma
By Chimwemwe Mwanza
Vicious, vindictive and vengeful aptly describes the Zambian political arena. Former Presidents, Kenneth Kaunda, Rupiah Banda and the late Frederick Chiluba all have scars to prove this. In the 80’s, Kaunda locked up Chiluba on flimsy charges that failed to hold in a court of law. After he became Head of State, Chiluba retaliated by sending Kaunda to Mukobeko maximum prison.
The irony for Chiluba is that his handpicked successor, Levy Mwanawasa motivated Parliament to waive off the latter’s immunity thereby exposing Chiluba to several graft charges formulated by the now defunct Task Force on Corruption. With his legacy tainted by a skewed narrative, only death saved Chiluba from possible jail time. To erase his predecessor’s legacy and ensure his humiliation, the late Sata’s PF re-created this trend by consigning Rupiah to a life of court appearances.
Off significance to this conversation, UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema (HH) served time in Lilayi prison on a laughable treason charge – this at the hands of the current PF regime. For a fact, HH has never hidden his disdain for President Edgar Lungu and his stint in a tiny Lilayi prison cell has probably served to reinforce the UPND leader’s contempt for the President.
Just why such vindictiveness and blatant abuse of power seems to gratify incumbents is hard to understand. In the absence of reason, one might well speculate that this show of brutality is all about a naked flexing of political muscle – a bit more like, ‘can I show you who is the boss’. Whatever the reason, the difficulty is that this trend erodes the very democratic tenets and political maturity that Zambia is renowned for in the rest of Africa and the world over.
Which makes 2021 an interesting contest. Other than bread and butter issues, the fore mentioned factors will weigh heavily on the minds of both President Lungu and HH heading closer to the polls.
Who is likely to win?
The tiny but seismic shift in fundamentals on the ground seem to suggest that this will be a closely fought contest. Besides, recent electoral predictions across the globe – even by the most experienced pundits have gone against the grain making it even more difficult to provide an accurate outcome.
For example, in 2012, several analysts predicted an outright victory for Rupiah’s MMD only for the PF to spring a surprise. Suffice to acknowledge that, while characteristics of the Zambian electoral landscape may differ in comparison to mature democracies, there are similarities to draw from – especially in elections where the voter’s desire for change outweighs any other considerations.
Unaware of a groundswell desire for change, an over-confident former British Premier, David Cameroon called a snap referendum to determine Britain’s future in the European Union (EU). He was stunned at the outcome. Against odds, the British electorate voted for Brexit thus paving the way for what has now become Britain’s messy divorce from the EU trade block.
Humiliated by a razor thin loss to Brexit supporters, Cameroon was forced to call his time as leader of the conservative party. In yet one of the biggest election upsets of the 21st century, Donald Trump steam-rolled establishment candidate, Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the US. Therefore, the notion that either the PF or UPND might have an edge over the other heading towards 2021 is fallacious. Truth is, this is an election that could swing either way.
Why ECL will be desperate to win
Despite the PF’s public show of confidence, their determined focus on HH and constant whip-lashing of his perceived tribal inclinations, best illustrates their genuine fears and by extention their desperation. Rightly so, they can’t afford to be complacent. 2021 will be a referendum on their ten years in power. Be rest assured that this is one election where the PF’s well – oiled propaganda machinery will likely throw both the sink and kitchen at the UPND bearing in mind what is at stake. In fact, the proposed amendment to the constitution is intended to disadvantage the opposition ahead of the polls.
What troubles the mind is that the current constitution which the PF is attempting to discard was signed into law by the sitting President amid a jam-packed Independence stadium. Three years later, it’s tempting to ask. What has changed to warrant an amendment to this sacred document? By now, PF knows too well that the much-punted humility of their candidate might be a hard-sale more so to an electorate that appears too desperate for change. They can’t afford lethargic arguments such as they being the only party with a manifesto. Need they be reminded that having a manifesto is one thing and delivering on its content is another.
What about the promise that they would lower taxes and put more money in the pockets of the working class? Did they deliver on such including creation of job opportunities? You be the judge. The President is aware that he will be facing an electorate that is weary of rising food costs. A persistent drought over the last two seasons has only compounded the hunger situation – more so in outlying areas of the country. In addition, the policy uncertainty in mining taxation and the stand – off between government and sections of the mining community is taking its toll on economic growth. Perceptions around inaction on corruption might not help his cause either. While some of these challenges might not be, the PF’s making, the electorate always tend to punish a sitting government for their suffering – sometimes unfairly so.
Never mind whether HH has genuine or has yet to formulate charges against the PF, he has consistently warned that the PF leadership will be called to account for wrong doing once he becomes President. The tacit implication of this threat is that, HH is already extending bed spaces at Chimbokaila, Kamwala Remand and possibly Lilayi prisons for use by the PF leadership. And knowing fully well what is at stake, a possible loss is too ghastly for the PF to contemplate. For President Lungu, there will be no better motivation to win the polls than lose to a sworn rival.
Its State House or bust for HH
PF has over-exposed the country to a mountain of debt that will outlive generations to come. It is precisely why the 2021 polls will boil down to the economy. As a businessman, HH knows too well the implications of our foreign debt on the fiscus. Zambia can’t afford to keep borrowing to fund consumption and expenditure on non-productive sectors of the economy.
This is the message he has been selling the grassroots. For a fact, he has the support of the broader investment community, including some global mining giants. Most important though, the International Monetary Fund appears to have factored in his possible victory in 2021 hence their reluctance to engage the current government on a possible economic rescue package.
The question is, has the UPND leader’s message of change found resonance with the electorate? While he appeals to the affluent and middle class in Parklands, Kansenshi and Kabulonga, the grassroots in Mandevu, kwa Nagoli and Chamboli seem to be struggling to grasp his vision for the country. Be reminded that he desperately needs this voting block to win the elections.
Against the backdrop of challenges, this looks like HH’s election to lose. Fact is, he can’t afford a record of 4 election loses on the trot. Such a scenario will certainly cast him into political wilderness and the glue that’s bound the UPND together over the years will finally loosen. Is this what he wants?
It’s entirely up to him and how he manages his campaign otherwise it might just well be that he will once again fall short of expectation and hand the PF another 5 years in power. And him being such a vexatious litigant, our Supreme and Constitutional courts will likely be kept busy. Watch this space.
The author is an avid reader of political history and philosophy. He loves Nshima with game meat. For feedback contact him on kwachaoneATgmailDOTcom
Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa says Cabinet has approved a request to seek a 12-month extension of Zambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to consolidate macroeconomic gains and sustain the government’s ongoing reform agenda.
He noted that the resolutions were made during the 14th cabinet meeting of 2025, at State House chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema on Monday, July 28, 2025.
The Minister of Information and Media, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson has explained that the move is aimed at strengthening Zambia’s financial stability, institutional governance and service delivery across multiple sectors.
He also explained that if approved by the IMF Executive Board, the extension will run until October 31, 2026.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka, Mr Mweetwa stressed that the proposed extension is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to maintaining investor confidence, concluding debt restructuring and mobilising additional financing to support Zambia’s economic recovery and development.
Mr Mweetwa noted that Zambia’s domestic debt stock had risen sharply in past years, escalating by 681 percent from K24.7 billion in 2015 to K192.1 billion in 2021, which increased the debt service-to-revenue ratio from 11 percent in 2011 to 59 percent in 2021.
In a move to promote legal and sustainable mining practices, the government has issued 90 letters of offer to mining cooperatives in Mufumbwe District, effectively formalising operations at the Kikonge Gold Mine.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, announced the development during a recent visit, stating that the initiative is designed to empower local miners, eliminate illegal operations, and enhance the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through regulated gold trading.
“This is a real deal for our people,” said Mr. Kabuswe. “We are helping Zambian license holders negotiate better terms with investors. The goal is to prioritise citizens and ensure they benefit first from their country’s mineral wealth.”
The issuance of licenses marks a critical step toward ensuring safety, environmental accountability, and economic inclusion in the artisanal mining sector. The government has consistently pushed to bring small-scale miners into the formal economy as part of a broader strategy to boost domestic revenue.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines, Dr. Kabeta Hapenga, disclosed the establishment of a Mineral Regulatory Commission, a new body tasked with ensuring efficiency, transparency, and data integrity in the management of mineral resources.
“The Commission will enhance our ability to monitor mining activities and provide accurate data on production and sales,” said Dr. Hapenga during an unannounced inspection of Mulopwe Metals Mining Limited in Kasempa District.
Dr. Hapenga raised concerns over illegal gold mining operations by small-scale miners, who often lack the proper machinery and safety protocols, posing risks to both the environment and human life.
The government’s actions reflect a broader commitment to reforming the mining sector by formalising artisanal mining, protecting national resources, and ensuring that local communities benefit equitably from Zambia’s vast mineral wealth.
Ministry Mines and Mineral Development Permanent Secretary Kabeta Hapenga says government has come up with market centres for the purpose of selling minerals.
Dr Hapenga says the market centres will be piloted in an almagamented manner in Mumbwa, Chisamba, Rufunsa and Mpika districts.
He said this in Mufumbwe district when he called on District Commissioner, Elijah Munyompe.
He cited that this amalgamation arrangement has progressed well in Ghana, West Africa, which he believes can also work in Zambia.
And United Party for National Development (UPND) Mufumbwe Member of Parliament Elliot Kamondo urged the government to expedite the issuance of offer letters to the artisanal and small-scale miners.
Socialist Party (SP) President Dr. Fred M’membe has questioned President Hakainde Hichilema’s silence regarding the 2024 Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Report, which reveals K6.1 billion in illicit financial flows.
Dr. M’membe claimed the Head of State has remained quiet because the report does not implicate his political opponents. He argued that if the report had linked the previous Patriotic Front (PF) government, President Hichilema would have commented.
Speaking during Hot FM Radio’s Socialist Hour program alongside SP General Secretary Dr. Cosmas Musumali, Dr. M’membe stated, “It shows what people have been saying—this is a corrupt regime. Key leaders are failing to declare their assets. Why? The FIC Report exposes fraudulent and suspicious transactions. If this isn’t corruption, what is?”
He added, “The report highlights high-ranking government officials, yet President Hichilema is silent. He would speak if this implicated his opponents, but since it doesn’t involve PF, he says nothing.”
Dr. M’membe accused the President of lacking political will to fight corruption, stating, “The UPND leadership is involved, with Hichilema at the helm. If corrupt officials aren’t punished, the blame stops with him. He must explain the FIC’s findings.”
He emphasized the severity of the K6.1 billion loss, stating it could fund the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for three years.
Meanwhile, Dr. Musumali noted a 74% increase from the 2023 FIC Report, which recorded K3.5 billion. He dismissed any UPND claims of outperforming the previous regime as mere rhetoric.
President Hakainde Hichilema convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders from Zambia’s tourism industry at State House, in a bid to strengthen intersectoral collaboration and chart a sustainable growth path for one of the country’s fastest-growing economic pillars.
The delegation, led by renowned tourism investor Mr. Mark O’Donnell, engaged in discussions focused on enhancing the resilience and inclusivity of the sector, which welcomed over 2 million visitors in 2024 — a record that underscores its rising significance in Zambia’s economic transformation agenda.
“Tourism remains one of Zambia’s most important renewable resources and continues to register impressive growth,” said President Hichilema. “Its success, however, is inextricably linked with other sectors such as transport, hospitality, energy, and infrastructure.”
The President emphasized the need for continuous dialogue and a shared national vision among all stakeholders, noting that effective coordination is essential to unlocking the full potential of tourism.
“To advance the industry and maximize its economic impact, there must be shared responsibility and mutual support across all sectors,” he said. “This is how we build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism economy that contributes meaningfully to national development.”
The meeting marks another milestone in the government’s efforts to position tourism as one of the four main pillars of Zambia’s economy, alongside mining, agriculture, and energy. Stakeholders welcomed the President’s call for unity and pledged to work closely with the government to drive investment, promote Zambia as a premier travel destination, and ensure that local communities benefit from tourism-driven growth.
The National Council for Construction (NCC) has expressed deep concern over the poor workmanship on the Simwanda Bridge project in Kalomo District, in Southern Province.
The bridge being constructed under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at a cost of over K800,000 has been condemned by the NCC after an on-site inspection.
NCC Executive Director Paul Makasa who led the inspection together with the board chairperson, said the Council was saddened by the loss of significant public resources on a project that does not meet minimum engineering standards.
“As NCC, we are deeply saddened that over K800,000 of taxpayer money has been lost on a poorly executed project that is not fit for its purpose. This bridge will need to be demolished and a new one built from scratch if it is to serve the community safely,” he said.
Professor Makasa was speaking in an interview with ZANIS at the Kalomo town council after the bridge inspection visit.
He said following the findings after the inspection, NCC has summoned Manjenja construction firm, the contractor responsible for the project.
And NCC Board Director Edgar Siakachona said the findings at Simwanda Bridge raise broader concerns about the competencies of the local contractors and local authority’s supervision of CDF-funded infrastructure.
The Republican Progressive Party (RPP) acknowledges the ongoing public debate regarding the proposed Lands Amendment Bill, which seeks to expand the powers of the Registrar of Lands, including the authority to cancel land titles and oversee the appeals process.
RPP recognizes the government’s intention to streamline land administration and address the growing issue of fraudulently acquired land titles. We agree that safeguarding the integrity of land records and protecting legitimate landowners is critical. However, vesting excessive authority in a single office risks creating a power imbalance. Without proper checks and balances, such a move could lead to misuse of power and erode public confidence in land governance.
To address land-related fraud effectively while preserving due process, RPP advocates for the full implementation of Article 233 of the Constitution, which provides for the creation of a Lands Tribunal within the Lands Commission. This tribunal should be the appropriate, independent body mandated to resolve land disputes and appeals.
Its composition must reflect professional diversity—bringing together experts in land law, human rights, and economics—to ensure decisions are fair, balanced, and informed by multiple perspectives. Additionally, the tribunal’s functions must be embedded within the broader land governance system to guarantee transparency and institutional accountability.
We also call for the accelerated issuance of land titles to indigenous Zambians who have fulfilled all statutory obligations, including the payment of service charges. Continued delays in processing legitimate land claims deepen economic inequality, disenfranchise communities, and stifle development efforts.
On the matter of ministerial oversight in land appeals, RPP emphasizes the need to shield land administration from political interference. Allowing the Minister to intervene risks politicizing sensitive land issues and weakening the independence of institutions. All appeals and title cancellations must be handled by legally empowered, impartial bodies such as the Lands Tribunal.
In conclusion, RPP calls for a balanced and constitutional approach to land reform—one that upholds the rule of law, ensures expert oversight, and strengthens institutions. We remain firmly committed to supporting reforms that promote justice, transparency, and inclusive development for all Zambians.
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Can your phone really deliver wins the same way a full sportsbook can?
Short answer – yes, betting through your smartphone can get you big wins and payouts. Try it yourself – try betting online at Novibet and see first hand the speed, convenience, and variety of games that smartphone gambling delivers.
But sometimes, the answer depends on how the platform works, but even more on how users play. Betting through your phone changes the pace. It changes how you see risk. But it doesn’t remove the chance to win big
In this article, we’ll briefly talk about how smartphone betting works, why it clicks with modern players and why your chances of winning are better on smartphones.
How Mobile Betting Platforms Make Wins More Accessible
Smartphone betting apps are built for speed and convenience. They remove the friction that used to slow bettors down.
You don’t queue.
You don’t wait for slips to be printed.
Every fixture, every market, every result is right there — live, searchable, and ready. You can move from live stats to multi-bets in a single scroll.
It’s immediate and intuitive.
Payouts are fast with the interfaces being pretty clean. You can track your bet history, edit live bets, or trigger early cash-outs from the same dashboard. There’s no second-guessing. Everything you need is in reach, in one place, designed for rapid action.
And you have plenty of betting options (or markets) including major leagues, niche sports, in-play wagers, boosted odds. It’s not a stripped-down experience. It’s the full sportsbook, streamlined and simplified for the device in your hand.
So, Can You Win Big When Betting on Your Phone?
Yes. Not in theory, but in real money terms.
Wins aren’t smaller just because they happen on a smaller screen. Mobile platforms are wired into the same oddsmakers, the same jackpots, the same high-stakes play that drives sportsbook profits globally.
The ceiling hasn’t dropped. It’s just easier to reach now.
There’s no delay. No waiting in line. No limitations on what or when you can bet. And that unlocks real advantages. Today’s smartphone experience gives punters every shot at a big return. What changes is the rhythm.
There’s also volume, because unlike before, you bet more often. And not recklessly, but consistently. Between tasks, during breaks, after work. Betting becomes an extension of the day, not a disruption.
Bottom Line
Mobile betting isn’t a watered-down version of the real thing. It is the real thing.
Odds are the same. Wins are the same. The only difference is how fast you get in, how sharp you play, and how easily you move across games, markets, and live odds.
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The family of Zambia’s late former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu has formally demanded that the Zambian government cover all expenses related to his cancelled funeral and the legal fees arising from the ongoing dispute over his remains.
In documents submitted before the Gauteng Division of the High Court in South Africa, Lungu’s widow Esther Lungu, his children Tasila, Dalitso and Chiyeso, his sister Bertha, nephew Charles Phiri, family lawyer Makebi Zulu, and funeral service provider Two Mountains, argue that the government’s last-minute legal action caused both emotional and financial hardship.
The family is seeking a punitive costs order against the Zambian state, contending that the government’s urgent application—filed just two hours before Lungu’s scheduled burial on June 25—was unjustified and amounted to an abuse of process.
“The launching of an eleventh-hour urgent application on the morning of 25 June 2025, the very date and time scheduled for the funeral of the late President Lungu, with only two hours’ notice to the Respondents… alone justifies a punitive costs order,” the family’s legal submission states.
The respondents claim that the government had been aware, since at least June 18, that the body would not be returned to Zambia by that date, yet waited until the funeral day to act. This, they argue, resulted in the cancellation of a fully arranged funeral in Pretoria—incurring expenses for the venue, transportation, clergy, security, and the funeral home, all in line with Lungu’s expressed burial wishes.
The family accuses the Zambian state of acting in bad faith and politically interfering in a private family matter, asserting that the widow’s legal right to determine burial arrangements has been undermined.
In its own court filings, the government has justified its intervention by citing the need to verify and authenticate the identity of the remains, in compliance with a court order issued by Deputy Judge President Aubrey Phago Ledwana. The body has been kept at a Pretoria funeral parlour for nearly two months amid the escalating legal standoff.
Lungu died on June 5 in Pretoria. While his family opted for a private burial in South Africa, the Zambian government insists that the former Head of State be repatriated and accorded a full state funeral in Lusaka.
The South African High Court is expected to rule on the matter on August 4.
After the opening of the Kafulafuta Water Project, Ndola’s Lupili Ward Councilor Emmanuel Mulenga has noted an improvement in access to water and sanitation among citizens in the Mushili Hillside.
Councilor Mulenga says water supply has improved in Mushili Hillside after the installation of pipes and the connection of domestic consumers.
The civic leader is now urging residents to protect water infrastructure.
Speaking to Radio Icengelo News, Councilor Mulenga said the vandalism of pipes and taps in Hillside won’t be tolerated.
“People are now able to access Water in Mushili Hillside and we want more people to have water kwa Mwape as well. I can only appeal to our people to protect the taps and pipes from vandalism,” he said.
Meanwhile, Councilor Mulenga has announced that about Four (4) Kilometers of roads in his ward will be worked on using the Bwana Mkubwa Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and more funds from the Central Government.
Councilor Mulenga says the entire 2025 CDF allocation to Lupili Ward will be channeled toward feeder roads construction.
He said the CDF road works are beginning soon and will cost K1.5 Million.
Excerpts from my book – One Zambia, One Nation
Presidency, governance & regionalism
The 47-year-old retired army major was the son of former President Kenneth Kaunda. Seen as a fast-rising star in UNIP, he was the party’s Lusaka provincial chairman. It was widely believed Kaunda was grooming him to take over from him as party president and eventually gun for State House. Wezi was a fearless politician and vocal critic of Chiluba’s leadership style. Although Major Kaunda was constantly a target of death threats, he chose to remain in the country his father had led to independence to offer himself for leadership of the nation at an opportune time.
One fateful night, Wezi and his wife Didre, were driving home to Woodlands, a leafy Lusaka suburb, in his impressive Toyota Landcruiser when they were waylaid by armed men in front of their gate. Assuming they were after his car, he pushed his wife out of the car and pleaded with them to have it. According to his wife, Wezi pleaded with them: “I am Major Wezi Kaunda. Please take my car, take whatever you want. I am not resisting. Spare my life and my wife. Just take the car.”
The gang confirmed knowing after which they released the trigger and sprayed bullets on him multiple times before fleeing the scene. He was still gasping for his breath by the time they rushed him to the University Teaching Hospital where he was put on life support. It is believed that strange individuals crept into his ward under the cover of darkness and suffocated him to death.
“They’ve killed my son twice,” an emotionally charged Kaunda would lament afterwards.
The car was later found abandoned with everything intact. Three senior Scotland yard detectives were brought in to help solve the murder mystery but hit a dead trail. At a much later stage, a 28-year-old Moses Mulenga, a bus driver, and Allan Mubanga, a 20-year-old taxi driver were arrested and charged with the murder of the radical politician, a theory that seemed to support the police belief that it was a carjacking attempt that had gone wrong.
Many people, of course, dismissed the explanation by the police as mere cover-up! This assertion was recently buttressed by former vice-president Nevers Mumba. Reflecting on the launch of his latest book, ‘In Pursuit of Freedom’ during an interview with veteran journalist, Frank Mutubila on his talk show – ‘Frank Talk’, Mumba was reminded of an occasion whereby former President Kenneth Kaunda invited him and his son Wezi Kaunda to a private meeting, where he warned them to watch their movements as he had received reliable information from sources within the establishment they (including KK) were targets of assassination by the state. According to him, this revelation still sends shivers down his spine.
Was KK simply bluffing? How come then the assassination came to pass…..well, at least on the part of his son, Wezi?
In the Hichilema administration, shame does not exist. This moral bankruptcy stems, in part, from a brutal assault on truth that began even before they assumed power. The very lies that fueled their rise to office now sustain their grip on Plot One. For this government, nothing is too unethical—so long as it buys them another day in power. One wonders how they sleep at night, or face their grandchildren, knowing they’ve traded integrity for expediency.
The now-infamous leaked audio between disgraced Minister Mwamba and PF Member of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition Chabinga is not just a political scandal—it’s evidence of a serious crime, potentially several. Yet despite its damning contents, Vice President Mutale Nalumango dismissed it as just a “suggestion… on how to deal with the funeral of our late president.” If this is how simplistic the Hichilema administration treats the rule of law, then we are not being governed—we are being deceived by a criminal enterprise cloaked in the language of democracy.
State House has not disputed the audio’s claim that President Hichilema personally phoned Chabinga twelve times. When Chabinga finally returned the call around 2 a.m., the President allegedly informed him of a covert plan to travel to South Africa and back the Zambian government’s position in the legal case involving former President Edgar Lungu’s remains. Chabinga was instructed to contact a Zambian embassy official. Mwamba, a minister in Hichilema’s cabinet, was not only aware of the scheme—she actively followed up, asking Chabinga to lobby the South African government to influence the outcome of the court ruling.
When Chabinga cautioned that South African law would likely favor the Lungus, he suggested bribing the judge might be the only option. Mwamba did not object. She did not distance the President from the plan or present her actions as speculative. On the contrary, the conspiracy was clear—and it had the President’s implicit blessing.
If President Hichilema was not involved, why has he not fired Minister Mwamba? Why has he not ordered the arrest of both Mwamba and Chabinga for dragging his name—and that of the Zambian government—through the mud?
Is Chabinga not supposed to represent the very corruption the United Party for National Development (UPND) swore to eradicate from public life? Since when did members of the discredited Patriotic Front (PF) become reliable whistleblowers? Only when they’re caught collaborating with State House, it seems.
Some would prefer we move on from this controversy. Doing so, however, would be a grave mistake. This audio offers a window into the moral rot at the heart of our justice system under Hichilema’s watch. If senior officials can contemplate—without hesitation—pressuring a foreign government to tamper with a court ruling against their own citizens, why should any Zambian trust our judiciary? Are our judges truly independent, or are they simply tools of State House—told whom to investigate, prosecute, or exonerate?
To date, the government’s excuses have been nothing short of insulting. First, the audio was dismissed as artificial intelligence. Then it was labeled a “mere suggestion.” Now, it is being ignored entirely.
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha rushed to Pretoria to block the burial of Edgar Lungu—where is he now? Mwamba, Chabinga, and others have committed serious infractions. Their actions transcend misconduct. They implicate the President himself in international judicial interference, abuse of office, and corrupt manipulation of legal processes.
Hichilema once branded himself “Mr. Clean.” But he is only clean in his own eyes. In truth, he is every bit as corrupt and manipulative as the very people he once condemned. What makes him more dangerous is not hypocrisy—it is calculation. He doesn’t stumble into scandal; he orchestrates it, then lets others take the fall. He has elevated deception to an art form, and tragically, many in our nation remain enthralled by it.
I write this not out of malice, but with a measure of pity—for his enablers like Mwamba and Chabinga. When Hichilema is no longer in office—whether in 2026 or 2031—they will be the ones left to face the music. This case will not be buried. If the day ever comes when Hichilema’s presidential immunity is lifted, he too may face prosecution. His defenders will cry “political vengeance,” but this is not about politics. It is about state-sponsored corruption, executive overreach, and a coordinated attempt to pervert the course of justice across borders.
When the Anti-Corruption Commission finally regains its independence, it won’t need Vice President Nalumango’s spin. It will need the truth—and that truth already exists in the leaked audio–names, timestamps, hotel receipts, phone records, airline tickets, and, most importantly, who paid the bill. All it will require is the courage to make arrests.
The Ministry of Education has spent about K195.8 million on the school feeding programme in the country in the first quarter of this year.
This is from the K534.4 million allocated to the programme in the 2025 budget, which is meant to keep learners in school and improve learning outcomes.
Assistant Director for School Health and Nutrition in the ministry, Maybin Luulu has disclosed that 3,177 schools have been added to the programme, bringing the total of those benefiting to over 8,000 out of about 13,000 schools in the country.
Mr Luulu has revealed that attendance has significantly increased in the schools where the programme is being implemented, adding that its objective of addressing absenteeism has been met.
He was speaking in a telephone interview with the Zambia News and Information Services, in Lusaka.
Barrick Lumwana mining company has expressed interest in conducting mineral exploration activities in Luwingu and Kasama districts in Northern Province.
Barrick Lumwana mining company Exploration Geologist, Mangala Sakala, disclosed the development when he made a presentation in a stakeholders meeting in Luwingu.
He said the government has granted the company a five-year license to carry out mineral exploration in selected parts of Luwingu and Kasama districts.
And Barrick Lumwana Environmental Manager, Paul Mashikimi, said the mineral explorations in Luwingu would be carried out in Shimumbi, Njoko, and Malekani areas.
Celebration that unites: 1xBet awards Africa Day contest winners in Zambia
In a friendly atmosphere filled with joyful emotions, applause, and smiles, on June 27, 2025, in Lusaka, Zambia, the international brand 1xBet held an award ceremony for the winners of the Africa Day contest. The event, symbolically named Celebrate Africa Day with 1xBet, was simultaneously covered across several social networks, bringing together audiences from across the country to celebrate cultural unity and pride in African heritage.
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Tag your favorite local blogger
The campaign, which ran from May 22 to June 1, attracted a large number of participants within the first few days, particularly on Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, and X (formerly Twitter). People tagged popular bloggers, invited friends, and commented on posts, becoming part of a vibrant festive initiative.
Contest winners and the platforms from which they were selected:
Instagram
Laston Jere
Chris Sinkutwa
Facebook
Peddrosse Chiwala
Aubrey Ngoma
X (Twitter)
Moses Chabala
Kondwani Ngambi
Chifwala Leeman
Telegram
Albert Songwe
Shadrick Munalula
Gifts that matter
Each winner received a branded box from 1xBet containing a branded football and an official Kabwe Warriors FC jersey.
The award ceremony took place at the 1xBet betting point on Chudleigh Central Street in Lusaka. Winners arrived in person to collect their prizes, meet the brand team, take photos, and share their excitement.
The event was made even more special by the presence of 1xBet’s ambassador in Zambia, Magnate. As an entrepreneur, speaker, and opinion leader, he delivered a brief inspirational speech and personally congratulated each winner.
“I was very happy and excited to win. My advice to others will be — always believe that you can be amongst the lucky winners,” said Kondwani Ngambi at the award ceremony.
Social responsibility and 1xBet
The 1xBet team in Zambia emphasized that such activities are a symbol of recognition and support. The Africa Day contest was part of 1xBet’s broader mission — to stay close to people, support local initiatives, and promote the values that unite communities.
It wasn’t the first such activation in Zambia. Previously, the brand launched campaigns featuring its ambassador, Magnate, as well as projects focused on responsible betting and educational programs for young people. The award ceremony held as part of the Africa Day celebration further reinforced the message: 1xBet is a brand that sees the community, listens to it, and responds.
Stay tuned to 1xBet’s official channels — more events, contests, and prizes are on the way!
1xBet — celebrating Africa together. Building community. Inspiring victory!
