Mundubile Demands MPs Return Alleged Bribe Money Linked to Bill 7

LUSAKA — Patriotic Front presidential aspirant Brian Mundubile has called on Members of Parliament to return funds he alleges were paid to secure support for Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7, describing such payments as a betrayal of public trust. His statement sharpens scrutiny of the legislative process and elevates concerns about ethics, transparency, and the integrity of constitutional reform.

Mundubile contends that Bill 7 lost legitimacy the moment it was revived without resolving legal deficiencies flagged by the Constitutional Court in its earlier ruling. He argues that Parliament’s decision to proceed despite these unresolved issues created conditions ripe for unethical conduct. “If any MP accepted money to back this bill, they violated the fundamental duty owed to the citizens who elected them,” he said.

He framed the issue as one of national accountability, not partisan politics. According to Mundubile, constitutional amendments define the nation’s governance architecture and must be handled with the highest ethical standards. He warned that ignoring allegations of inducement risks permanent damage to public confidence in Parliament. “Citizens deserve clarity,” he said. “Those implicated must either deny the claims under oath or return the money and face consequences.”

The controversy arrives amid deepening public skepticism about Bill 7. Civil society groups, legal professionals, and faith-based organisations have repeatedly questioned the legality of reviving the bill without addressing the court’s objections. Mundubile said these concerns should have prompted a pause. Instead, he asserted, the rushed process opened space for “backroom deals that poison democracy.”

He stressed that constitutional reform cannot be legitimate if tainted by bribery. “The Constitution is not a commodity to be bought or sold,” he said. “It is the foundation of our republic.” He called on named MPs to publicly refund any funds received and submit to independent scrutiny. Without such action, he warned, the legislative process would be seen as compromised beyond repair.

Mundubile also highlighted the erosion of public trust. He noted that citizens increasingly view Parliament as detached from their interests, especially when handling foundational laws. “When people hear that votes on constitutional matters may have been purchased, they stop believing in the system altogether,” he said. He warned that this disillusionment could suppress civic engagement long after the current debate ends.

His remarks intersect with broader calls for accountability in public office. He argued that elected leaders must model integrity, particularly on issues that affect the separation of powers and democratic balance. “Constitutional amendments are not routine legislation,” he said. “They require consensus, not coercion or cash.”

Mundubile’s intervention comes amid heightened intra party competition within the Patriotic Front. While he did not present evidence in his public statement, he insisted the allegations warrant formal investigation. “Even the perception of corruption in constitutional matters is dangerous,” he said. “It must be confronted openly, not swept aside for political convenience.”

He urged the government to halt further consideration of Bill 7 until three conditions are met: a transparent account of how the bill complies with the Constitutional Court’s ruling, a public review of the revival process, and disciplinary measures for any proven misconduct. “Political expediency must never override constitutional integrity,” he said.

Parliament has not issued an official response to Mundubile’s allegations. No named Members of Parliament have publicly confirmed or denied receiving payments related to the bill. The Office of the Speaker has not announced plans for an inquiry. Meanwhile, civil society coalitions including the Governance Accountability and Policy Forum and the Zambia Council of Churches have reiterated calls for transparency in the amendment process.

The Constitutional Court’s 2024 ruling, which found procedural irregularities in the previous version of Bill 7, remains central to the ongoing dispute. Legal analysts note that the court declared certain clauses noncompliant with Article 79 of the Constitution, which outlines mandatory public consultation requirements for amendments affecting governance structures. Parliament has not published a legal memo demonstrating how the current version satisfies those requirements.

Mundubile’s statement was delivered during a press briefing in Lusaka attended by party officials and civic representatives. He provided no documentary evidence but cited unnamed sources within parliamentary circles. He said the matter requires urgent attention from law enforcement agencies and anti corruption bodies.

As of Monday, December 8, 2025, Bill 7 remains before the Committee Stage in the National Assembly. A final vote has not been scheduled.

Parliament Faces Legal Rebuke Over Bill 7 Amid Judicial Contempt Claims

LUSAKA — Former Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has accused Parliament of acting in contempt of the Constitutional Court by advancing Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 despite a prior ruling that invalidated an earlier version of the measure. His intervention sharpens scrutiny of the legislative process and raises fundamental questions about the separation of powers in Zambia.

Kalaba contends that lawmakers have resumed work on the bill without first resolving the constitutional deficiencies identified by the court. He stressed that the tribunal’s judgment was binding, not advisory, and legally terminated the previous legislative effort. According to Kalaba, any new attempt to amend the constitution must begin afresh, with full compliance to the court’s reasoning.

“The continuation of this process places Parliament in direct conflict with the judiciary,” Kalaba said. “It signals that court rulings can be ignored when politically inconvenient.”

His remarks echo concerns expressed by legal experts, civil society organisations, and opposition figures. Several groups have called on Parliament to suspend consideration of the bill until it demonstrates how it has addressed the court’s objections. Some have demanded the full text of the ruling be read on the floor of the House to ensure transparency.

Public confusion has grown as senior officials offer conflicting interpretations of the court’s decision. Kalaba warned that inconsistent respect for judicial authority undermines long term stability. He noted that citizens increasingly view Bill 7 not as a technical amendment but as a test of institutional integrity.

Civil society coalitions have intensified pressure on lawmakers to clarify their legal basis for proceeding. Kalaba argued that the issue transcends partisan politics. “This is about whether all state institutions, including Parliament, will operate within constitutional boundaries,” he said.

Government spokespeople have dismissed critics as obstructionists, accusing them of misrepresenting the bill’s intent. Kalaba rejected that framing. He said the core dispute lies in whether Parliament acknowledges the supremacy of judicial review in constitutional matters.

He urged legislators to halt the bill immediately and initiate a genuine compliance process. “Once contempt for court orders becomes normalised, restoring institutional trust becomes exceedingly difficult,” Kalaba warned.

His statement arrives amid heightened public engagement on constitutional issues. Community forums, religious gatherings, and radio call-in shows reflect widespread concern over perceived disregard for the rule of law. Observers say the controversy surrounding Bill 7 now serves as a litmus test for Zambia’s commitment to checks and balances.

Kalaba called on leaders across party lines to prioritise constitutional fidelity over short term political objectives. He warned that failure to do so could entrench a culture where legal constraints are treated as optional.

PF Elders Rally Aspirants Toward Unity and Renewal

The Patriotic Front Council of Elders convened a decisive consultative meeting on Sunday, bringing together presidential aspirants and senior party leaders to address internal cohesion and set a clearer direction for the organisation. Led by former Vice President Inonge Mutukwa Wina and senior elder Ngonga Mukupa, the engagement opened with a firm message that the PF must rebuild discipline, restore order and strengthen coordination as it enters a critical phase of restructuring.

From the outset, the elders signalled that this was not a symbolic gathering but part of a broader effort to stabilise a party that has been managing leadership uncertainty and uneven mobilisation across structures. Acting PF President Given Lubinda joined the session, which drew nearly all aspirants present in Lusaka. The atmosphere was cordial yet purposeful, with leaders showing readiness to confront issues that have slowed the party’s organisational progress.

The meeting began with expressions of condolence following the deaths of Kasama Mayor Theresa Kolala Khumalo and Mr. Albert Mubuyayeta Siyanga. Members were urged to support the grieving families and demonstrate unity at a time when the party is reflecting on its internal and national responsibilities.

Attention then turned to party stability. The elders stressed that the PF cannot advance if senior figures pull in separate directions. Aspirants were advised to prioritise cooperation, avoid actions that deepen divisions and reinforce structures that have weakened in recent months. The message was clear: the PF must present a coordinated leadership environment if it expects to regain confidence among members and supporters.

The meeting also addressed national governance matters, particularly the constitutional debate and the public dispute around Bill 7. Elders encouraged leaders to take part in national discussions and to articulate positions that reflect the party’s long-standing values. They said the PF cannot remain passive on issues shaping national institutions and must offer consistent engagement as debate around constitutional processes continues.

Operational matters formed a large part of the discussion. The elders called for better communication between national, provincial and constituency teams, noting that delayed information and fragmented messaging have weakened mobilisation efforts. Strengthening feedback loops, addressing concerns from local structures and maintaining discipline in communication were emphasised.

For a party working through internal recalibration, the meeting represented a rare moment of shared focus. Many aspirants acknowledged the need to stabilise core structures before intensifying internal campaigns. There was general agreement that the PF must address weaknesses in coordination, rebuild trust among members and reassure supporters who want clarity on the party’s trajectory.

The elders concluded by reaffirming that unity, discipline and cooperation must guide all internal engagements moving forward. They said consultative platforms will remain active to manage concerns early, prevent internal drift and support the development of a consistent organisational approach. Leaders were reminded that national political activities are intensifying, and the PF must present itself as structured, organised and ready to act with collective purpose.

The session ended with agreement that additional meetings will follow, focusing on strengthening the party’s operational base, improving internal communication and preparing for activities that will shape its future direction.

Zambia’s Voter Roll Climbs to 8.8 Million After New Registrations

Zambia’s voter register is projected to rise to 8.8 million in 2026 after the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced the addition of 1.6 million newly registered voters across the country. The update reflects the highest growth in a single cycle since the 2021 general election and indicates a strong turnout during the continuous voter registration exercise. Officials said the figure includes first-time voters, citizens who recently attained the voting age, and individuals who replaced or updated their details.

According to the ECZ, the revised register is the product of countrywide field activity carried out to ensure that eligible citizens were given adequate opportunity to be captured before the 2026 polls. The Commission said the surge is linked to both demographic changes and deliberate efforts to reach communities that previously recorded low registration numbers. It noted that the exercise proceeded in all provinces and involved mobile teams, district offices and satellite centres.

The Commission reported that the Copperbelt, Lusaka, Southern and Eastern provinces contributed some of the largest increases due to their population densities and the high number of young citizens entering the electoral system for the first time. Rural provinces also posted modest growth, although officials explained that mobility challenges and distance to centres remained limiting factors for sections of the population.

ECZ officials said the updated register is currently undergoing the standard verification process, which includes the removal of duplicate entries, corrections to personal details, and confirmation of transfers for citizens who changed locations. They explained that this is routine work intended to protect the integrity of the roll ahead of nomination and polling activities. The Commission added that verification teams were instructed to resolve anomalies quickly to avoid delays that might affect downstream electoral timetables.

Public interest surrounding the expanded register has been high, with citizens, political parties and civil society organisations seeking clarity on numbers, provincial breakdowns and the distribution of new registrants. In response, the ECZ said it will release detailed disaggregated statistics once the verification phase concludes. The body reiterated that transparency remains central to its mandate and that all stakeholders will have access to the final certified register well before the 2026 electoral calendar moves into the nomination period.

Officials stressed that the projected figure of 8.8 million voters is provisional until the clean-up exercise is completed. They emphasised that final totals may vary slightly depending on corrections made during the verification process. The Commission also advised citizens who recently registered to confirm their details at designated centres to ensure accuracy when the final roll is published.

The update comes as preparations for the 2026 general election intensify. The ECZ has been coordinating training programmes, procurement processes and logistical planning for polling materials. It has also been holding consultations with political parties and election observers on guidelines that will govern the conduct of upcoming campaigns, nominations and polling procedures. Officials noted that a stable and accurate voter register is a central component of these preparations.

The Commission said it remains committed to delivering an orderly and credible electoral process. It reminded citizens that continuous registration is still available for those who may not have been captured during the intensive phase. District-level offices continue to issue new cards, replace lost ones and process transfers. The ECZ encouraged eligible citizens to visit centres early rather than wait for the final months before the election, when queues are expected to grow.

Stakeholders have called on the public to remain engaged with the registration process by checking their details, following updates released by the Commission and participating in civic education programmes. Civil society groups have been conducting awareness activities to ensure that young voters, women and rural communities understand the importance of verifying information before the register is closed.

As the 2026 polls draw closer, the ECZ says it will continue providing regular updates and publishing timelines for each phase of the electoral process. Once the verification stage ends, the Commission will move toward the certification of the register, which will serve as the operational foundation for nominations, polling-day planning and distribution of materials.

With the addition of 1.6 million new registrants, Zambia’s electoral landscape enters a new phase shaped by demographic growth and ongoing administrative work. The ECZ maintains that its focus is on safeguarding accuracy, improving accessibility and ensuring that every eligible citizen is included in the final record that will guide the country’s next general election.