Patriotic Front (PF) presidential aspirant Makebi Zulu has criticised the proposed introduction of a 24-hour economy, stating that the initiative is unlikely to succeed under current conditions.

The debate was sparked following an announcement by Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa that Cabinet had approved the extension of business operating hours to 24 hours for premises such as markets, shops, and bus stations.

Reacting to the development, Zulu said the policy cannot be effectively implemented without first strengthening the economy, increasing citizens’ spending power, and ensuring that businesses are capable of sustaining extended operating hours.

He argued that without these foundational elements, the transition to a 24-hour economy would face significant challenges.

 A member of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Charles Longwe, has filed a lawsuit against Secretary General Batuke Imenda, arguing that he should vacate office as his mandate has expired.

In documents filed before the Lusaka High Court, Longwe is seeking a declaration that the National Management Committee, which assumed office on February 14, 2021, had its tenure lapse on February 14, 2026, in line with the party constitution.

In an affidavit supporting an ex-parte summons for an interim injunction and the appointment of an interim committee, Longwe further argued that members of provincial leadership and lower party structures, who assumed office in 2020, had their mandates expire on December 31, 2024.

He stated that the party’s failure to conduct elections at both lower and national levels constitutes a violation of its constitution.

Longwe also submitted that there are currently no qualified individuals to serve as delegates for the formation of an electoral college during a general assembly.

He argued that the failure to hold elections at constituency, district, provincial, and national levels is a breach of the party’s governing framework.

Among the reliefs sought, Longwe is asking the court to determine whether the party president, Hakainde Hichilema, remains in office following the alleged expiration of his mandate in February 2026.

He is also seeking the appointment of an interim committee to manage the party in place of the current leadership.

Additionally, Longwe wants the court to declare the UPND an unlawful society at risk of deregistration, arguing that the mandates of both Hichilema and the National Management Committee expired in February 2026.

He further contends that the absence of valid delegates makes it impossible to constitute an electoral college for electing a new National Management Committee in accordance with the party constitution.

Longwe also argues that failure to comply with constitutional timelines could result in the party operating unlawfully and facing cancellation of its registration.

He added that the failure to hold regular intra-party elections across party structures constitutes a breach of Article 60 of the national Constitution and may amount to a punishable offence under applicable law.

Chief government spokesman, Cornelius Mweetwa has announced that Cabinet has finally approved the proposal for a 24-hour economy. This is long overdue. As far as we can recall, the Chiluba administration had briefly ‘fantasied’ about the idea of a 24-hour economy but dropped the ball along the way, leaving many of our citizens high and dry!

Walks in a pragmatic politician with an impeccable business background and deep understanding of our economy….. he ensures that the concept sees the light of the day! Where are his roses?

This is the challenge we’ve with most of our opposition leaders…..they seem to have a penchant for opening their mouths anyhow even when they know they’ve little or nothing to say. One good example is Harry Kalaba who’s desperately trying to salvage his fast waning political career as we approach the day of reckoning.

Take for instance, what he’s written on his Facebook page: “You can’t open an economy for 24 hours when there is no economy to talk about. Where the economy operates for 24 hours, there is activity in that economy and people have money to spend.”

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy…..what sort of reasoning is this?

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for George Mtonga, a Zambian based in the US to put things into perspective. He offered the Citizens First leader a good lecture, “this economy produces $5.8B in reserves and has increased tax revenues from US$100B to US$ 250B. Your lack of understanding of economics is a critical part of why you can never make a good president!”

On another page that we follow, Chabwela Mwanza equally shared interesting insights. He offered, “the 24-hour economy is about creating an environment where businesses can operate beyond the traditional 9-to-5. That means more shifts, more jobs, and more productivity. It allows industries like healthcare, transport, manufacturing, and services to run round the clock, boosting economic output and attracting investment.”

We won’t pretend to be schooled in matters of the economy and delve deeper into the subject. We shall instead share a humble analogy easier for every Jim and Jack on the streets to comprehend.

Why is it that refugees from the Great Lakes region seem to be doing far much better than our people…..not in Kabulonga, but in shanty compounds even if they came to our country with nothing?

They fully understand the meaning of a 24 hour economy! While our people want to open their shops at 10 AM after nursing terrible HOs, and call it a day by 4 PM to go drinking or rush “kuma lodge,” their shops are already open at 4 AM. They’re keen to go on until midnight when they’ve ‘kolopad’ each and every coin! And today, they’re proud owners of properties and running thriving businesses everywhere while we keep ourselves preoccupied with mundane things like disappearing essential bodily parts!

As for those bringing up the issue of security, this is where the Zambia Police Service comes in. Instead of mounting unnecessary check points to go and eat Hungry Lion afterwards, we expect the IG to deploy them into the townships to conduct patrols using the CDF Landcruisers which Bally has given them.

Salute!

Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst
Zambezi

Opposition Democratic Party (DP) president Judith Kabemba has described the move to transition Zambia into a 24-hour economy as progressive, stating that it will create jobs and boost productivity.

Kabemba also challenged Citizens First president Harry Kalaba to explain what happened to the “cheap fuel” he allegedly promised Zambians during his time in government.

The remarks follow an announcement by Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa that Cabinet had approved the extension of business operating hours to 24 hours for premises such as markets, shops, and bus stations.

Reacting to the development, Kabemba said the decision is a progressive measure aimed at improving efficiency and addressing challenges associated with limiting business operations to daytime hours.

She noted that the policy would enable businesses to maximise productivity and improve access to services.

“Businesses such as supermarkets, retailers, salons, barber shops, bars, hotels, restaurants, event management firms, distribution hubs, pharmacies, manufacturing companies and transport operators, among others, will experience growth,” she said.

“We commend government for this progressive initiative. Only a person with no vision would condemn 24-hour business operations.”

Kabemba further accused Kalaba of misleading Zambians over a purported deal for cheap fuel during a trip to Saudi Arabia.

“That fuel has never materialised to date. He must tell Zambians what happened to the K5 per litre fuel he promised. The people of Zambia have not forgotten, and we will continue reminding them,” she said.

She added that Kalaba was not in a position to criticise government policies, citing his previous performance in public office.

“How can someone who means well for Zambia condemn such a decision? Unless they do not have the country’s best interests at heart. In fact, Kalaba should be the last person to comment on the performance of the economy because when he served as minister and Member of Parliament for Bahati, he failed lamentably,” she said.

Kabemba also referenced the 2021 general election, stating that Kalaba was rejected by voters in his constituency.

“In 2021, the people of Bahati rejected him convincingly. That speaks volumes,” she said.

She emphasised that being in the opposition should not mean opposing every government initiative.

“Being in the opposition does not mean opposing everything. Initiatives like this are commendable,” she said.

Kabemba urged government to ensure adequate security for businesses operating at night and encouraged business owners to take advantage of the new policy.

“We, as DP, appreciate the United Party for National Development government for being proactive in improving the lives of Zambians. We also appeal for strict security measures to protect businesses operating at night,” she said.

She further urged citizens to ignore critics of the policy.

“Business owners should take advantage of this opportunity and ignore those who condemn everything government does. For them, politics is just ‘akalilo’ (a means of survival),” she stated.

Over 600 Opposition Patriotic Front Members have today defected to the Ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).

‎Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed his commitment to support various Social development Programs with the aim to empower youths across the country.

‎Speaking when he addressed citizens and UPND party officials at a town hall meeting, Mr Hichilema explained that the youth are at the center of attention for the New Dawn government as reflected from the profiling of developmental programs, whose majority have benefited young citizens and youths in the country.

‎”With programs such as the Free Education Policy, School feeding programs, increases and enhanced bursaries, and various programs under the Constituency Development Fund, we have demonstrated out commitment to ensure youths are well catered for at all levels of growth, be it at primary school, secondary or higher education level,” he explained.

‎Mr Hichilema further reaffirmed that the country is moving towards a unity for development trajectory.

‎He has since urged the country to support the UPND party at all leadership levels as this will ensure continuity in implementation of various developmental programs beyond 2026.

‎”We have various developmental programs that we want to implement post 2026 general elections, I therefore urge the country to support our members of Parliament, councilors and party leadership at all levels, this will ensure continuity in the implementation of various government programs “, he said.

Speaking at the same event, Presidential Advisor for politics Levy Ngoma has called on the country to support the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema.

‎Mr Ngoma noted that with citizen’s support, the UPND government will win the 2026 general elections at all levels owing to the massive developmental strides the News Dawn government has facilitated during their five years in office.

‎Earlier, Patriotic Front Member of Parliament for Bwacha Constituency Sydney Mushanga has said that the country could not have achieved the various developmental programmes evidenced in various sectors without the commitment by the UPND government.

‎Mr Mushanga has since urged the opposition to remain committed towards supporting the developmental strides the UPND government has been implementing as this will actualise the 2030 vision to transition the country into a middle income economy.

‎Meanwhile, a former Patriotic Front Member who defected to the UPND, Bessey Tembo, has commended the UPND government for the various developmental programs that have been implemented especially those in the education sector such as the Free Education Policy.

‎”My daughter who is a grade 10 pupil is currently being sponsored by the government. I commend government for the school bursaries programme as it has helped various children to have a chance to receive education” she explained

‎Ms Tembo further commended the government for improving various social protection programs such as the social cash transfer.

‎She explained that the increased social cash transfer is beneficial to combating poverty, especially for vulnerable members of society.

‎And McDonald Mwansa, a student Representative, has urged students across the country to support the candidature of president Hakainde Hichilema in this year’s August 2026 General Election.

‎Mr Mwansa noted the various policies the government has implemented to support students in higher Institutions of learning among them, the reintroduction of meal allowances among others.