22/07/2025
A viral audio recording purportedly featuring Community Development Minister Doreen Mwamba and Mafinga MP Robert Chabinga has ignited a wave of controversy, with explosive claims implicating President Hakainde Hichilema in covert political manoeuvres surrounding the burial of former President Edgar Lungu.
In the recording, the two officials allegedly discuss “mingalato” (political scheming), including claims that Chabinga was sent to South Africa to bribe a judge and orchestrate protests aimed at shaping public perception against burying Lungu abroad. The authenticity of the audio has been challenged, with some UPND representatives suggesting it may be AI-generated a defense that has only fuelled public skepticism and outrage.
Social media has erupted with calls for accountability, with some users demanding the president’s resignation. The government has yet to issue an official statement, and the silence is amplifying concerns over diplomatic tensions with South Africa, especially following a separate legal misstep involving the late president’s family.
This scandal adds to a growing list of controversies facing the UPND administration, which came to power promising reform, unity, and economic recovery. With elections looming in 2026, critics argue that the party’s credibility is eroding, and the opposition may gain momentum as public trust wanes.
