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Zambia Police Officer Honored for Refusing US$50,000 Bribe

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Zambia Police Officer Honored for Refusing US$50,000 Bribe

A Zambia Police Service officer has been recognized by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for rejecting a US$50,000 bribe offered by a suspect intercepted at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

Detective Sergeant Ruth Nyambe was honored yesterday during the 2025 Integrity Committee Chief Executive Officers’ Forum. The suspect, who was found carrying US$2 million and suspected pieces of gold while traveling from Lusaka to an undisclosed destination, initially offered Nyambe US$5,000 and later increased the bribe to US$50,000 in exchange for release.

Nyambe refused the bribe, reported the incident to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), and ensured the case proceeded to court.

ACC Director General Daphne Chabu commended Nyambe for her integrity and commitment to duty.

Also honored was Hendrix Mwinga, a technical plant health inspector with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Department (PQPS). Mwinga rejected a K160,000 bribe from a milling company attempting to move three truckloads of imported wheat grain from South Africa across the Kazungula border. The wheat was found to contain excessive extraneous material and was deemed non-compliant.

Mwinga reported the bribe attempt to PQPS management, who upheld the decision to send the commodity back to its country of origin.

Makebi Zulu Defends Political Ambitions Amid Lingering Burial Dispute

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Makebi Zulu Defends Political Ambitions Amid Lingering Burial Dispute

Patriotic Front (PF) presidential aspirant Makebi Zulu has responded to criticism over his active political engagement while the body of his former boss, President Edgar Lungu, remains in a South African morgue nearly six months after his death.

As the Lungu family spokesperson, Zulu has faced public backlash, ridicule, and demands for burial updates instead of campaign messages since announcing his political ambitions.

Speaking through an interview Zulu argued it is unfair to label him insensitive or opportunistic, stating that the prolonged burial delay weighs on him daily. He emphasized that mourning does not mean abandoning national responsibilities.

“President Edgar Lungu, even in his death, would want to see a better Zambia. He would want to see to it that rights of the people in Zambia are respected,” Zulu said.

He explained he has become a scapegoat in the burial impasse, accused personally of delays when he was only acting as family spokesperson. Zulu rejected claims that he is leveraging the tragedy for political gain, saying no one would choose extended mourning for such purposes.

The delay, he noted, stems from unresolved disagreements and mistrust between the family and the state, not his personal interests. Zulu said he has chosen to absorb public criticism to shield the grieving family from further pain.

“I am glad that I have been given the honour to be the shock absorber for and on behalf of the [family]. I’m happy to do that. All the attacks that have been levelled against the family, by the government, is propaganda machinery,” he stated.

Zulu added that Lungu would not have wanted his death to divide the nation or stifle discourse on issues affecting Zambians.

Nevertheless, until President Lungu is laid to rest, the unresolved burial continues to overshadow Zulu’s political aspirations.

Supreme Court of South Africa Grants Lungu Family Leave to Appeal Burial Order

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Supreme Court of South Africa Grants Lungu Family Leave to Appeal Burial Order

The legal dispute concerning the burial of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has returned to court, with the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa granting the Lungu family permission to appeal a previous court order.

The order had directed that the late president’s body be repatriated to Zambia for a state funeral and burial. The latest court documents indicate that if the family fails to proceed with the appeal, they will be liable for associated costs.

The family is contesting a judgment by the South African High Court, which ruled in favor of surrendering Mr. Lungu’s remains to the Zambian government. The Lungu family argues that the High Court did not adequately consider their rights in its decision.

The case was initiated by Zambia’s Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, and has led to prolonged delays in burying Mr. Lungu, who passed away on June 5, 2025, while receiving medical treatment in South Africa. The impasse over funeral arrangements previously led the family to consider burying him in South Africa.

Over 590,000 learners progress after release of 2025 exam results

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Over 590,000 learners progress after release of 2025 exam results

Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima has announced that a total of 590,949 learners have progressed to the next level of education following the release of the 2025 national examination results, with 384,592 candidates advancing to Form One and 206,357 candidates progressing to Grade Ten.

Dr. Siakalima says all the 384,592 learners who passed the 2025 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) have been selected to Form One in 2026, representing a progression rate of 71.36 percent, while 206,357 candidates, representing 72.25 percent, obtained certificates at Junior Secondary level and will progress to Grade Ten.

He was speaking when he officially released the 2025 Primary School Examination and Junior Secondary School Leaving Examination results in Lusaka.

“I am glad to inform the nation that all the processing of the 2025 Primary School Leaving Examination and the Junior Secondary School Leaving Examination has been completed,” Dr Syakalima said, describing the results as a timely boost for parents and learners ahead of the 2026 school year.

The Minister indicated that 587,471 candidates registered for the 2025 PSLE, out of which 538,824 candidates, representing 91.72 percent, sat for the examination.

“In terms of sex, 47.24 percent of the candidates who entered for the 2025 PLSE examination were boys, while 52.76 percent were girls. Out of the 587,471 candidates who registered for the 2025 examination, 538,824 candidates representing 91.72 percent sat the examination. This represented a 0.16 percent increase from 2024. Of these, 256,859 (47.67%) were boys, and 282,096 (52.33%) were girls. It is worth noting that, like the 2024 examination, more girls registered and sat the 2025 examination,” he explained.

He said absenteeism at Grade Seven level dropped from 9.44 percent in 2024 to 8.26 percent in 2025, while overall performance improved slightly from the previous year.

Dr. Syakalima further disclosed that 303,674 candidates entered the 2025 Junior Secondary School Leaving Examination, with 285,634 sitting, of which 206,357 candidates obtained certificates, marking a significant improvement from the 55.89 percent recorded in 2024.

“Of the total 303,674 candidates who entered, 144,976 (47.74%) were boys, while 158,698 (52.26%) were girls. Out of the 303,674 candidates who entered the examination, 285,634 sat the examination. This represented an increase of 1.44 percentage points from the 93.16 percent recorded in 2024. Out of the 285,634 who sat the examination, 136,035 (47.63%) were boys, and 149,599 (52.37%) were girls. A total of 18,011 candidates were absent, bringing the 2025 national absenteeism rate to 5.94 percent. This indicated a decrease of 0.90percentage points from 6.84 percent in 2024,”

He attributed the improved performance at junior secondary level to the government’s decision to abolish automatic progression and ensure that only learners with the required competencies advance to secondary school.

He further added that a total of 72,321 candidates obtained statements adding that 6,956 candidates failed the Junior Secondary examination of which 3772 boys and 3,184 girls.

The Minister announced that the 2025 Junior Secondary School Leaving Examination is the last to be conducted, following the implementation of the new education structure under the 2023 Curriculum Framework.

“Provincial Education Officers have since been instructed to place all learners who are not progressing to Grade Ten into Form One classes in 2026,” Dr Siakalima said, adding that the competency-based curriculum provides diverse learning pathways suited to different learner abilities.

He further announced that schools will open on Monday, 12th January 2026, with a two-week grace period ending on Friday, 23rd January 2026, urging parents and guardians to ensure learners report on time as learning will commence immediately.

Meanwhile, the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) Michael Chilala has confirmed that the 2025 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and Junior Secondary School Leaving Examination (JSSLE) were successfully conducted and processed without any examination paper leakage.

Dr Chilala thanked the government for its continued support, stating that the backing from the Ministry of Education enabled the Council to effectively execute its mandate.

“With your unwavering support, Minister, we managed to run another leakage-free examination,” Dr Mulala said, while commending the guidance provided through the Permanent Secretary for Administration and the Permanent Secretary for Educational Services.

He further praised directors from the Ministry of Education, including Standards, Assessment and Evaluation, Secondary Education and Curriculum Development, for ensuring that the examinations remained aligned to the curriculum and met required standards of validity and reliability.

ZANIS/ENDS/MM/SNM………………………….DRY

 

 

Zambia Is a Nation Under Judgment: Reflections on the South African Appeal Court Ruling

Lusaka Times Editor
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Zambia Is a Nation Under Judgment: Reflections on the South African Appeal Court Ruling
Zambia Is a Nation Under Judgment: Reflections on the South African Appeal Court Ruling

By Dabwitso Moono

The insistence by the New Dawn government on a state funeral for President Edgar Chagwa Lungu reveals a troubling reality that goes far beyond protocol, ceremony, or public honour. It is a dark ruse that masks something deeper, more disturbing, and profoundly unsettling.

The dead cannot see gestures. They cannot be encouraged. They cannot be persuaded by gun salutes, uniforms, fly-pasts, or choreographed displays of false reverence. A colourful state funeral offers no benefit to Edgar Chagwa Lungu, now gone from this world. If love, respect, and dignity were not fully shown to him while he lived, it is meaningless and hollow to parade “angelic” gestures at his death.

What Zambia has witnessed instead is a state that abandoned restraint and humanity. Rather than facilitating a swift and dignified burial in accordance with mutually agreed funeral arrangements, the government chose confrontation. Using taxpayers’ money, our money, it launched a legal battle over a body in a foreign jurisdiction. This decision alone speaks volumes.

South Africa is not Zambia. It operates under a homegrown constitution. Its justice system is transparent, independent, and not subordinate to political power. A sitting president in South Africa can be taken to court. Judges are not intimidated by office. In that context, the Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision to grant the Lungu family leave to appeal was not surprising. It was expected.

State-sponsored body viewings, cannon salutes, and official pageantry will not assist Edgar Lungu’s soul in its journey. They will not restore dignity that was denied in life. The state disrespected him while he was alive, and it has continued that disrespect in death.

Edgar Lungu was a Christian. There are lessons the state could have learned from faith traditions that treat death with humility and urgency. Among Jews, burial is carried out swiftly, often within twenty-four hours. It is a biblical commandment. The body is never left alone. It is washed according to sacred law. Psalms are recited continuously. The dead are accompanied, guarded, honoured, and returned to the earth without delay. This practice is not foreign to Africa. It is deeply rooted in ancient African culture as well.

Mrs Esther Lungu and her family stand on firm moral and legal ground in protecting the body of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. They have the right to refuse unnecessary body viewing. There is nothing strange or rebellious about this. What is strange is a government insisting on private ceremonies held away from the family, as if the primary custodians of the body must be sidelined. What logic permits a grieving family to be dragged to court in a foreign land over the remains of their husband and father?

What sane government fights a family over a corpse?

Zambia today feels like a nation stripped of spiritual sensitivity. Since 1964, no administration has displayed such moral darkness and hardness of heart. Zambia stands like an open book before Heaven. It is a nation under judgment.

History and scripture warn us that bodies are not neutral objects. In the book of Samuel, King Saul sought a medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. The act brought judgment upon him, and he soon perished in battle. If a buried body could be disturbed through dark spiritual means, how much more a body left unburied, lingering in limbo? Those with ears must hear. Those with eyes must see.

This crisis should awaken Zambia. It should compel reform. A future government must enact clear law granting unequivocal authority to the immediate family to decide how and where a deceased president is buried. We do not need presidential burial parks. Honour can be preserved through presidential libraries, through records, through learning, through truth.

Let the dead be buried with dignity. Let families grieve in peace. And let Zambia recover its conscience before it is too late.

Lungu family wins right to appeal as burial remains in limbo

Lusaka Times Editor
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Lungu family wins right to appeal as burial remains in limbo
Lungu family wins right to appeal as burial remains in limbo

The prolonged legal battle over the burial of Zambia’s late former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu has entered another painful chapter, as his family continues to endure uncertainty and emotional strain months after his death, following a ruling by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal granting leave to appeal against an order directing the repatriation of his remains to Zambia.

In an order issued on December 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeal granted the Lungu family permission to challenge a Gauteng High Court ruling that had authorised the Government of the Republic of Zambia to take custody of the former president’s body for burial with state honours in Lusaka. The decision was signed by Acting Chief Registrar Z V D Ntaka.

While the ruling opens the door for a full appeal hearing, it also prolongs a deeply distressing period for the family, who have now spent more than six months without the ability to lay their husband, father, brother and relative to rest. Mr Lungu died in South Africa on June 5, 2025, and since then, his remains have remained there as legal proceedings continue to delay burial arrangements.

The Supreme Court of Appeal granted condonation, allowing the appeal to proceed despite procedural timing issues. However, the court ordered that the Lungu family must bear the costs of the condonation application. It also set aside the earlier costs order made by the High Court when it dismissed the family’s initial application for leave to appeal.

The court further ruled that the costs associated with the application for leave to appeal, both in the High Court and before the Supreme Court of Appeal, will now form part of the costs in the main appeal. The judges cautioned that should the family fail to proceed with the appeal, they will be liable to pay those costs in full.

The application for leave to appeal was heard before Justices Makgoka JA and Steyn AJA. The applicants are Esther Lungu, Bertha Lungu, Tasila Lungu, Dalitso Lungu, Chiyeso Lungu, Charles Phiri and Makebi Zulu. The respondents are the Government of the Republic of Zambia, Two Mountains Burial Services (Pty) Ltd, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

At the centre of the dispute is the question of who has the authority to determine the funeral and burial arrangements of a former head of state. The Gauteng High Court had ruled that Mr Lungu should be repatriated to Zambia and buried at Embassy Park in Lusaka, the official burial site for presidents, with full state honours.

The family opposed that ruling, maintaining that burial arrangements are a private family matter and should reflect Mr Lungu’s personal wishes. They have argued that the High Court erred by treating a draft funeral programme, referred to as “FAA7”, as a binding agreement between the family and the Zambian government. According to the family, the document was never signed and remained only a draft, meaning no final agreement on burial arrangements existed.

They further contended that the High Court wrongly applied Zambian law to a case being heard in South Africa, without the support of proper expert evidence. The family has maintained that under South African law, burial decisions are closely linked to rights of dignity, religion and culture, and fall primarily within the domain of the family.

The legal contest has taken a heavy emotional toll on the Lungu family, who have repeatedly expressed distress over the prolonged delay and the uncertainty surrounding the final resting place of their loved one. Negotiations between the family and the Zambian government over burial arrangements have stalled, leaving the matter unresolved and compounding the family’s grief.

The Zambian government has argued that national tradition and public interest require that a former president be accorded a state funeral and burial in Zambia. Government lawyers have insisted that private family preferences cannot override the state’s responsibilities in matters involving a former head of state.

The Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling does not determine the merits of the dispute. It allows the matter to proceed to a full appeal hearing, where the legality of the High Court’s directive to repatriate the remains will be argued in detail.

Until that appeal is concluded, South African law prevents any action from being taken, meaning the former president’s remains will continue to lie in limbo. For the Lungu family, the court victory to appeal offers legal hope, but it also extends a period of mourning marked by delay, legal uncertainty and continued emotional suffering.

ECZ enhances candidate registration

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ECZ enhances candidate registration

The Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) says it has enhanced its candidate registration system to capture details of parents or guardians, including phone numbers and email addresses, in a move aimed at improving accuracy and accountability in the management of national examinations.

Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ), Chief Executive Officer Michael Chilala says the new system will allow parents and guardians to verify candidate details and subject entries early, thereby reducing post-examination complaints.

Dr. Chilala stated that the new system will also help track learners migrating between schools and enforce the Ministry of Education’s directive that government schools should no longer host private school candidates during examinations.

Speaking during the official presentation of the 2025 examination results in Lusaka, the CEO said the improvements form part of the Council’s commitment to strengthening examination administration and service delivery.

He also addressed public concerns regarding the requirement for birth records, explaining that the measure is intended to enhance data integrity.

Dr. Chilala further noted that close to 10,000 Grade Seven candidates were recorded as being 10 years old, a situation that raised questions about the accuracy of age data during registration.

He also clarified that while birth records are encouraged, they are not mandatory, and no candidate will be denied registration.

The ECZ CEO further disclosed that the National Registration Office is issuing letters of confirmation of birth to support parents who are still waiting for birth certificates.

He further confirmed that the 2025 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and Junior Secondary School Leaving Examination (JSSLE) were successfully conducted and processed without any examination paper leakage.

He thanked the government for continued support, noting that backing from the Ministry of Education enabled the Council to effectively carry out its mandate.

Dr. Chilala acknowledged the Permanent Secretary for Administration, the Permanent Secretary for Educational Services and directors from Standards, Assessment and Evaluation, Secondary Education and Curriculum Development for ensuring that the examinations remained aligned to the curriculum and met required standards of validity and reliability.

He further revealed that ECZ has completed drafting the assessment skills framework and examination syllabus in line with the 2023 Competency-Based Curriculum.

He highlighted that stakeholder engagements will continue into 2026 to finalise implementation, including the rollout of school-based assessment guidelines expected to reach schools by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

He reaffirmed ECZ’s commitment to innovation, examination security, and safeguarding the credibility of national examinations, thanking teachers, ministry officials, and all stakeholders for their continued support.

Church leaders call on Zambians to uphold biblical values

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Church leaders call on Zambians to uphold biblical values

Advocates for the Declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation have called on citizens and leaders to remain in covenant with God and to align governance with biblical teachings as the country marks 34 years since the declaration.

Advocates Chairperson, Bishop Billy Mfula, said the declaration has taken firm root over the past 34 years and cannot be uprooted, noting that Zambia has not had another Christian nation to emulate.

Bishop Mfula was speaking ahead of the December 29 commemoration of Zambia’s declaration as a Christian nation.

Addressing the media during a press briefing in Lusaka, Bishop Mfula said expectations of a mature Christian nation must now be upheld, stressing that leadership should be principled and value-driven.

“We desire to see leaders who are guided by biblical values and principles, rather than leaders who occupy positions of authority while living contrary to the ideals of a Christian nation,” he said.

He emphasised the need for accountability to the covenant among political leaders, government officials, church leaders, traditional leaders and citizens.

Bishop Mfula urged Zambians not to live carelessly while expecting to enjoy the benefits of a Christian nation, adding that leadership must be assessed through the lens of the covenant.

He also called for peace and unity, urging citizens to rise above tribal politics and tribalism and to recognise that Zambia’s true identity is rooted in its covenant with God.

The media reports that this year’s theme is drawn from Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

“At 34 years of maturity, Zambia must now begin to help other nations. Greater maturity demands greater responsibility,” Bishop Mfula said.

Meanwhile, Acting Director in the Department of National Guidance and Religious Affairs at the Office of the Vice President, Martha Sitali, said Government has partnered with churches to ensure the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation is upheld effectively.

Dr. Sitali urged citizens to reflect on the significance of the declaration and support one another in building a united and values-driven nation.

Two minors drown in Chisamba quarry

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Two minors drown in Chisamba quarry

Two boys from the same family have died after drowning in a quarry in Chisamba District in Central Province.

Fred Lumbama, 8, and Titus Lumbama, 10, both from Lumbama Farm in Chapu area, drowned yesterday, December 22, around 10:00 hours at Mwamba’s farm, which is in the same area.

Titus Lumbama met his fate while attempting to rescue his young brother, who had sought help upon realising that he had ventured into the deep water.

Central Province Police Commissioner Yobe Luhana confirmed the incident in separate interviews with the media in Chisamba this morning.

According to Mr Luhana the deceased boys, who were siblings, had gone swimming at a nearby man-made dam in the company of three other juveniles.

“Brief facts of the matter are that, at around 09:00 hours, the deceased Juveniles, along with their two siblings Nickson Kabelenga, 10, and Den Lumbama,12, as well as Kelvin Kabamba,12, a friend, had gone for swimming at a nearby man-made dam,” Mr Luhana stated.

Mr Luhana disclosed that his elder brother, Titus, was also swept away by the current while attempting to rescue his younger brother.

He disclosed that the other three juveniles attempted to help using a makeshift rope but failed.

“The other juveniles tried to assist by throwing a makeshift rope (tied clothes) into the dam, but unfortunately, both Titus and Fred were swept away by the water,” he said

Mr Luhana said a community member bravely retrieved the two bodies, despite the prompt response of police and fire brigade personnel.

He said the boys were then rushed to Chisamba Rural Health Centre, where they were pronounced dead upon arrival.

The Central Province Police Chief said the corpses are currently lying at Chisamba Rural Health Centre mortuary awaiting post-mortem and burial.

ECZ launches Gender and Social inclusion policy

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ECZ launches Gender and Social inclusion policy

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), has launched a Gender and Social policy, aimed at providing guiding principles and practical frameworks for mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion in its undertakings.

Speaking during the launch in Lusaka, ECZ Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis, says that the policy will play a critical role in identifying and addressing barriers in the electoral process that hinder the participation of women and other marginalised groups.

“These efforts include ensuring gender consideration and the representation of marginalised groups in staff recruitment and appointments, progressively improving the accessibility of electoral infrastructure and tailoring messaging and information dissemination to reach all segments of society,” she said.

The media reports that Ms Zaloumis added that the said policy has come at the right time, as the Commission begins to consider implementation of the Amended Constitution, which is championing inclusivity.

And United Nation Development Plan (UNDP) Representative, Carol Zulu added that integrating gender equality and social inclusion will provide a wider platform for citizens and stakeholder engagement.

She emphasised that it is important for the nation’s electoral process to reflect the dynamics of society, in a continuously advancing democracy.

Ms Zulu added that integrating such a policy takes the country closer to achieving sustainable development goals and creating an environment that supports all Zambians.

She said that her organisation will continue to support and promote programmes with emphasis on women and marginalised citizens.

NW District Administrations empowered with vehicles

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NW District Administrations empowered with vehicles

Northwestern Province Minister Robert Lihefu has cautioned the District Commissioners in the province against misusing government vehicles under their care.

The Minister said this in Solwezi when he handed over 11 motor vehicles to 11 districts in the province.

He urged the DCs to put the vehicles received to good use and ensure that they are used for the intended purpose and serve the communities diligently.

The media reports that Mr Lihefu commended the government for considering the province with vehicles aimed at easing the mobility of DCs as well as improving service delivery.

He said adequate transportation fosters economic development and as such, the vehicles being handed over today will significantly enhance economic activities in the districts.

Kalumbila District Commissioner Brenda Sangisa expressed gratitude to the government for the gesture adding that the development will enhance her productivity in the district.

Truck accident claims 75 year old life

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Truck accident claims 75 year old life

A 75 Year old woman of Kapimpa village in Senior Chief Nkula’s area in Chinsali district of Muchinga Province has died after being hit by a Scania truck laden with solar panels.

Muchinga Province Police Commanding Officer Denis Moola has confirmed the accident in an interview with the media in Chinsali today.

Mr Moola identified the deceased as Agnes Mukuka.

He disclosed that the accident occurred in the early hours of today around 06:40 hours at Kapimpa village about 25 kilometers North of Chinsali turn off along the Great North road.

He said involved in the accident was a Scania truck and trailer with horse registration T920CHE and trailer registration number T618DTQ which was being driven by a Tanzanian National Hassan Salamba 50 from the North to the Southern direction.

The Commanding Officer alleged that the accident occurred when Agnes Mukuka the now deceased was crossing the road from the west to the east side and got hit by the Scania truck laden with solar panels property of Debronze Company Limited which was enroute to the DRC Congo.

Mr Moola further said the motor vehicle careered off the road to the right and the trailer (container) overturned leaving the horse standing in its normal position.

“The deceased sustained severe head injuries, broken both lower limbs as well as arms, and died on the spot while the driver of the Scania truck escaped unhurt,” he said.

Mr Moola pointed out that the Scania truck incurred a depressed right side of the container, damaged fuel tank, broken turning table and a depressed front bumper.

He further said that the body of the deceased has since been deposited into Chinsali General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem examination while the driver has been apprehended and he is currently in police custody for causing death by dangerous driving while the motor vehicle is still at the scene of the accident.

Chienge MP Given Katuta Acquitted of Threatening Violence Charges

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Chienge MP Given Katuta Acquitted of Threatening Violence Charges

Chienge Member of Parliament Given Katuta has expressed relief after being acquitted of allegations that she threatened violence against Times of Zambia photographer Henry Chunza.

Lusaka magistrate Idah Phiri yesterday set the outspoken lawmaker free, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against her. It was alleged that in 2023, after being denied entry to the National Assembly by the Speaker, Katuta charged at Chunza, ordered him to delete photos he had taken of her, and spat on him.

In her judgment, Magistrate Phiri found that the alleged words and actions did not meet the legal threshold for threatening violence. She noted that no witness, including the third prosecution witness, testified that Katuta threatened to beat, injure, assault, or damage anything belonging to Mr. Chunza.

“The third witness expressly clarified that he did not say the accused threatened to injure or beat Mr. Chunza,” the magistrate stated. “Having said the above, I am inclined to clarify that while Mr. Chunza testified that he felt threatened, that subjective fear… had not convinced non-threatening words into a criminal threat.”

Magistrate Phiri further questioned why the case was brought to court given the weak evidence, stating she experienced “considerable difficulty in appreciating the basis upon which the police, and indeed the prosecution, elected to proceed with this matter in the absence of cogent and credible evidence.”

After the verdict, an emotional Katuta hugged her lawyer, her husband, and supporters. Referring to the recent jailing of two lawmakers for sedition, she admitted she did not expect to be acquitted.

“I don’t have words because I knew that this was just a political push,” Katuta said. When asked if she anticipated the outcome, she replied, “No!… you see the way I’m dressed… I thought I would go straight there (to detention), so I needed something warm… cause I know, when you come into court, you are gone.”

The reverend and politician added that she holds no grudge against Mr. Chunza and is willing to meet him to let bygones be bygones.

Presidential Hopeful Mudolo Pledges to “Rewire” Zambia’s Economy

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Presidential Hopeful Mudolo Pledges to “Rewire” Zambia’s Economy

Presidential aspirant Willah Mudolo has declared himself the candidate capable of fundamentally restructuring Zambia’s struggling economy. Positioning himself as an engineer rather than a politician, he argues the country needs a complete redesign, not superficial fixes.

Mudolo, a Global Finance Engineer by profession, contends that Zambia has spent over six decades celebrating minimal economic progress while poverty, poor housing, and limited opportunities persist for most citizens. He likens the current economic model to a broken engine requiring radical re-engineering, not cosmetic repairs or slogans.

Citing persistent load-shedding, factory closures, and struggling industries, Mudolo warns that Zambia cannot compete globally with unreliable energy and outdated economic systems. “We cannot build a 21st-century economy on 19th-century energy reliability,” he stated.

He asserts that incremental growth has failed and that Zambia needs a “bold leap” to secure a prosperous future. His vision, termed “economic re-engineering,” aims for a five- to ten-fold expansion of the economy by attracting tens of billions of dollars in investments into mining, agriculture, energy, and technology.

Central to his plan is empowering youth as skilled drivers of a modern, high-value economy, rather than merely as job seekers. Mudolo criticizes decades of attempting to repair a system he says was never designed to benefit the majority, advocating instead for leadership focused on long-term national performance beyond election cycles.

As the 2026 elections approach, Mudolo is framing his candidacy around a blueprint for a new economic future, presenting himself as a problem-solver rather than a career politician.

From ‘Mulyokela’ to History-Making Mayor: George Mwanza’s Unlikely Rise

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From ‘Mulyokela’ to History-Making Mayor: George Mwanza’s Unlikely Rise

Once dismissed as a ‘Mulyokela’—a term implying a naive upstart—for his youthful ambition, George Mwanza has defied expectations to become one of Zambia’s most celebrated local government leaders.

In 2016, at just 22, his bid to stand as mayor was rejected by elders in the then-ruling party, who deemed him too young, lacking resources, and without a clear vision. Undeterred, he ran as an independent candidate in 2020, weathering personal attacks about his marital status and living arrangements.

In August 2021, at age 27, Mwanza made history. He won a landslide victory against eight other candidates to become Mayor of Chipata, earning the distinction of being the youngest mayor in Zambia and in Southern Africa.

Under his leadership, the Chipata City Council has been recognized as the best-performing council in the country for transparency. Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gift Sialubalo commended the council during a visit to Chipata, noting that its annual revenue has surged from K7 million to K35 million following the digitization of its payment and receipt system. This modernization has eliminated duplicate receipts and set a benchmark for other local authorities.

The council’s innovative approach has also gained continental recognition, winning the award for Best Performing Local Authority in Innovation Management in Africa at the recent Africa Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM/AAPAA) Conference in Eswatini.

Mayor Mwanza, a known philanthropist and grassroots activist, has prioritized serving vulnerable communities, particularly youth and women. A key achievement during his tenure is the twinning partnership with the City of Dormagen in Germany, which has facilitated knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and the donation of laptops to further digitize council services.

Mwanza’s influence extends beyond Chipata. In 2022, he was elected Vice President of the Young Elected Officials of Africa (YELO Network) for UCLG Southern Africa and was shortlisted for the One Young World Politician of the Year Award in 2023.

His journey reflects the trust placed in him by Chipata’s more than 150,000 residents, who chose a 27-year-old visionary to lead their city toward greater transparency, innovation, and development.

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