The Bangweulu Digest

15/08/2026

NRPUP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BRIAN MUNDUBILE SHARES....

Good morning Provincial Coordinators, candidates and members of our team.

I am sure you might have received some disturbing information last night, all I can say is that we managed to survive the situation.

I want to use this opportunity to encourage all Provincial Coordinators to remain focused, organised and vigilant.

Our immediate task is to ensure that all GEN 20s from our respective areas are collected and submitted.

We have to stay ahead of the process and ensure that our information is complete and properly documented.

By the end of today, I expect us to have wrapped up this exercise and established a clear picture of our results.

If we fail to do so and allow disputed or alleged forged GEN 20s to be introduced into the process, we risk finding ourselves on the back foot.

That could ultimately turn the matter into a court dispute which would not be helpful to any of us.

I am therefore calling upon all candidates and Provincial Coordinators to work together urgently. Please ensure that the relevant GEN 20s are collected and submitted so that we can consolidate our information and keep ourselves properly updated.

Brian Muntayalwa Mundubile

15/08/2026

ECZ DENIES PHOENIX FM ENTRY INTO TOTALING CENTRE AT KALULUSHI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

By TBD Staff Reporter

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has denied Phoenix FM entry into the Kalulushi Municipal Council totaling centre on the Copperbelt, where the remaining election results are expected to be processed.

The institution’s News Reporter had gone to the centre to complete coverage of the remaining 43 polling stations following the nationwide suspension of results announcement.

Phoenix FM had earlier reported on the suspension of the results announcement after stakeholders raised concerns over discrepancies between figures presented at the totaling centre and figures recorded at individual polling stations.

At the time, District Returning Officer Dr. Joseph Longwani acknowledged that the poll staff had worked the whole day on poll day into the night saying they too were human beings and prone to making mistakes hence asked for a suspension which miraculously coincided with the nationwide suspension.

However, the reporter was stopped at the main entrance by Council and Zambia Police officers, who, after checking the accreditation and identification cards, said they had instructions not to allow any Phoenix FM staffer into the centre.

No further explanation was given for the decision.

Kalulushi District has 68 polling stations and 50-thousand-120 registered voters. So far, 9-thousand-282 votes have been cast, representing a voter turnout of 18-point-52 percent, with attention now focused on the processing and announcement of the outstanding results.

12/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AuUQY8Bix/

11/08/2026

ECZ REVOKES BINWELL MPUNDU’S ACCREDITATION

By TBD Staff Reporter

Kitwe----11.08.26

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has with immediate effect revoked the accreditation of NRPUP nominee Binwell Mpundu to access the National Results Centre.

ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro says the decision has been taken in the interest of public safety and security, pursuant to the Electoral Process Act and the Electoral Code of Conduct.

In a statement released Tuesday evening, Mr Kasaro says the revocation follows a video attributed to Mr Mpundu circulating on social media, in which he is alleged to have made threats indicating that he was ready to kill during the election.

He says the Commission considers such statements a serious concern because they have the potential to incite violence, trigger public unrest and undermine the peaceful conduct of the electoral process.

Mr Kasaro has warned all electoral stakeholders against making threats or engaging in conduct that could compromise public safety and security, stressing that the ECZ will take appropriate action within the law against any accredited person whose conduct threatens the integrity and peaceful conduct of the electoral process.

11/08/2026

🚨OFFICIAL: MWENYA CHIPEPO IS NEW ZESCO UNITED HEAD COACH

ZESCO United Football Club officially announces the appointment of Mwenya Chipepo as the Club’s new Head Coach.
Coach Chipepo will be supported by Tenant Chembo, who joins the technical bench as First Assistant Coach.

Mwenya Chipepo brings a wealth of experience and a proven winning record to the ZESCO United FC technical bench. A CAF A Licence holder, Chipepo has coached several top-flight Zambian football clubs, including Power Dynamos, Prison Leopards, Indeni, Forest Rangers and Nkana FC. His standout accomplishment is a super league champion’s title with Power Dynamos FC where he also gained continental experience in the CAF Champions League. Chipepo’s track record is complemented with a demonstrated ability to turn teams around for noticeable success.

Tenant Chembo returns to ZESCO United FC bringing extensive experience both as a player and coach. Chembo has built a distinguished coaching career with ZESCO United, Mufulira Wanderers, Lumwana Radiants, Forest Rangers, Indeni and Ndola United. His time at ZESCO United FC includes being part of the technical setup that won the 2016 Barclays Cup (now ABSA Cup) and the 2017 FAZ Super League title, while also gaining valuable CAF Champions League experience. With his deep understanding of the club, Zambian football and years of experience on the technical bench, Chembo brings continuity, knowledge and leadership to the new ZESCO United FC setup.

The complete technical and support team is as follows:
• Mwenya Chipepo – Head Coach
• Tenant Chembo – First Assistant Coach
• Mwape Mwelwa – Second Assistant Coach
• Winston Kalengo – Physical Trainer
• Kondwani Mtonga – Physical Trainer
• Jacob Banda - Goalkeeper Trainer
• Simon Silwimba – Equipment Manager
• Kabamba Kalande – Team Manager
• Abidan Chansa – Team Doctor
• Stephen Mbewe – Team Clinician

The appointments form part of the Club’s preparations for success going forward, and its commitment to building a strong, professional and competitive technical structure capable of achieving the Club’s objectives.

Issued by: ZESCO United Football Club
Tuesday, 11 August 2026
E-mail: [email protected]

10/08/2026

ECZ MAINTAINS STANCE ON BALLOT PAPER MARKING

By TBD Staff Reporter

Kitwe----Monday 10.08.26

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has maintained its position that a ballot paper should not automatically be declared invalid simply because it is marked with something other than a cross.

Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro says the law requires voters to mark the ballot paper in a way that clearly indicates the candidate they wish to vote for, but does not prescribe a cross as the only acceptable mark.

In a statement, the ECZ says although voters are instructed to use a cross, Regulation 46 allows a ballot marked differently to remain valid where the voter’s intention is clear and the mark does not identify the voter.

Kasaro says the Commission therefore maintains its earlier position and insists that there is a distinction between how a ballot is marked and the criteria used to determine whether it is valid.

The ECZ says this has been its practice since as far back as 2006 and is neither a new position nor a new interpretation of the law.

It has meanwhile urged stakeholders to provide accurate information and avoid confusing voters or undermining confidence in the electoral process.

31/07/2026

CIVIL SOCIETY DEMANDS PROBE INTO ALLEGED RELECTION-LINKED SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER SMS.

By TBD Staff Reporter

Livingstone-31.07.26

Nine civil society organisations have called on law enforcement and electoral oversight bodies to urgently investigate allegations that Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries received text messages linking continued access to the government welfare programme to voting for President Hakainde Hichilema and the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) in the 13 August general elections.

The organisations say the claims, if proven, would amount to a serious abuse of public resources and electoral processes.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, the organisations said they had not independently verified the source of the messages but urged beneficiaries who received them to preserve the evidence and report it to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other relevant authorities to facilitate a thorough investigation.

The organisations warned that the Social Cash Transfer programme is a statutory social protection entitlement funded by public resources and must not be used as a political campaign tool.

They argued that any attempt to link welfare benefits to voting choices would amount to coercion, undermine the integrity of the electoral process, and exploit vulnerable citizens.

The statement further raised concerns that, if confirmed, the alleged conduct could breach provisions of the Electoral Process Act, the Data Protection Act, and the Anti-Corruption Act.

It stressed that these were legal concerns arising from the reported conduct and not findings of guilt, noting that any determination should follow investigations by the ECZ, the ACC and other competent authorities.

The organisations have called on the ECZ, ACC, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, ZICTA and the Government to investigate the allegations, safeguard the integrity of the Social Cash Transfer programme and assure beneficiaries that their entitlements are protected by law and cannot be withdrawn based on how they vote.

They also urged all political parties to refrain from using public welfare programmes and state resources for campaign purposes ahead of the elections.

31/07/2026

29/07/2026

By TBD Staff Reporter

Livingstone-29.07.26

Transparency International Zambia--TIZ-- has elected Professor Lewis Chilufya as its new Chapter President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, ushering in a new leadership team to steer the country's anti-corruption watchdog.

Prof. Chileshe's election took place during the organisation's 23rd Annual General Meeting held on July 24.

Professor Chilufya, a long-serving member of TI-Z, takes over from Priscilla Chansa, whose tenure has come to an end after leading the organisation's governance and anti-corruption agenda.

The new Board, elected to serve a three-year term, includes Martha Sichone as Chapter Vice President, Jessica Chisompola as Treasurer and Charles Chulu, Professor Stephen Simukanga, Martha Mukosa and Janet Mundando as Board Members.

TI-Z says the outgoing leadership made significant contributions to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance, while expressing appreciation for its service and strategic direction over the years.

The organisation has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against corruption and advancing good governance, saying it will pursue that mission with renewed determination under the newly elected leadership.