The Mast

04/07/2025

“Voices of the People: How the Constitutional Court rekindled the flame of citizen participation and why the Government must heed the Court’s call on Bill No. 7”

By Prof. Cephas Lumina

A Constitution should not be dictated by a select few but should reflect the voices of the people. Zambia’s highest law is more than a text: it is a contract between the government and its citizens. Its legitimacy hinges not only on its content, but just as importantly, on the opportunities provided to citizens to contribute to shaping it. In this respect, the Constitutional Court’s landmark ruling in Munir Zulu and Another v Attorney General on 27 June 2025 has saved that contract from the brink. The decision emphatically reaffirms the indispensable principle that constitutional reform must be anchored in consensus, dialogue, and public participation.

The context: Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 and rising suspicion

When Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 was officially published on 23 May 2025, eyebrows went up across the political spectrum and civil society. The Bill was ostensibly aimed at, among other things, revamping electoral and parliamentary processes, such as revising by‑election rules, increasing parliamentary seats, improving representation of marginalized groups, removing term limits for mayors and council chairpersons, and lowering the minimum qualifications for appointment as Secretary to the Cabinet. Despite being presented as routine administrative updates to the constitutional order, the manner in which the Bill was drafted and introduced revealed a troubling trend: acceleration without consultation, decree without discourse.

Critics, including public commentators and organizations like the Law Association of Zambia, Transparency International Zambia, women’s rights coalitions, and disability advocacy groups, pointed out significant procedural shortcomings. Their main concern: this was not genuine reform, but rather a premeditated plan crafted behind closed doors and pushed through a compliant National Assembly.

It is important to note that the United Nations emphasizes>>READ MORE>>

A Constitution should not be dictated by a select few but should reflect the voices of the people. Zambia's highest law is more than a text: it is a contract

04/07/2025

LIVE: Funeral mass for the late Wilbroad Chibeka Chola, nephew to Socialist Party (SP) President Dr. Fred M’membe at Christ the King Parish, Kaunda Square Stage 2, in Lusaka

04/07/2025

Friday edition, July 4, 2025
BUY TODAY'S👉 https://mastmediazm.com/product/daily-paper/

03/07/2025

2 Chinese arrested for drug trafficking

By Mast Reporter

THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested two Chinese citizens for various drug related offences.
DEC public relations officer Allan Tamba said the two Chinese were arrested during an operation against drug trafficking.

“The Drug Enforcement Commission has continued to intensify its efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse across the country. In Lusaka Province, DEC officers conducted an operation that led to the arrest of two Chinese identified as>> READ MORE>>

“The Drug Enforcement Commission has continued to intensify its efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse across the country. In Lusaka Province, DEC

03/07/2025

‘Police officers’ attack, rob Chinese of mineral

By George Zulu

ARMED criminals wearing Zambia Police Service uniform attacked a Chinese investor at gun point and robbed him of minerals worth K315,000 and K8,500 cash.

Police have launched a manhunt for the dangerous bandits.

According to officers close to the investigations, Jiang Yuie, 43, of Humba area in Choma, reported that he was attacked by one armed police officer in uniform and other officers in plain cloths carrying >>READ MORE>>

Southern Province commanding officer Auxensio Daka said a manhunt had been launched to search for the criminals.

03/07/2025

Granny, 56, put on her defence for assault on child

By Esther Chisola

A FIFTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD woman of Lusaka's Libala South residential area has been found with a case to answer for assault on a child.

Fannie Longwe is charged with assault on a child, which she has denied.

It is alleged that Longwe, on November 4, 2024, in Lusaka, assaulted a child under the age of 16, occasioning him actual bodily harm.

When the matter came up for ruling on case to answer, magistrate Mutinta Mwenya said the State had proved its >>READ MORE>>

A FIFTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD woman of Lusaka's Libala South residential area has been found with a case to answer for assault on a child.

03/07/2025

Thursday edition, July 3, 2025
BUY TODAY'S👉 https://mastmediazm.com/product/daily-paper/

02/07/2025

Don’t boast about solar project - Dr Silumbe

By Thandizo Banda

SOLAR energy is an alternative for poor people and should not be a source of prestige for a leadership that focuses on national development through production, says Leadership Movement (LM) president Dr Richard Silumbe.

Yesterday, President Hakainde Hichilema commissioned a US$100 million Chisamba Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Project expected to deliver 100 Megawatts (MW) clean electricity to the grid.

However, Dr Silumbe advised the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration to seriously consider >>READ MORE>>

SOLAR energy is an alternative for poor people and should not be a source of prestige for a leadership that focuses on national development through

02/07/2025

Govt should not politicise FRA - oppostion

By Thandizo Banda

GOVERNMENT must seriously reprimand the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) board of directors and management for their decision to start buying maize for this year's crop marketing exercise from the southern part of the country, some opposition political parties have demanded.

Speaking to The Mast in separate interviews, New Congress Party (NCP) and Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) condemned the decision.

The parties said the arrangement had the potential to be misunderstood with some people thinking that>>READ MORE>>

GOVERNMENT must seriously reprimand the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) board of directors and management for their decision to start buying maize for this year's

02/07/2025

UPND goes for Mast editors

By Mast Reporter

THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has threatened to deal with editors of The Mast newspaper with unspecified actions.

In a post on the UPND Zambia page yesterday, the ruling party’s media shared the front page of The Mast newspaper’s Tuesday edition with the headline ‘WITCH-HUNT BEGINS’ accompanied with threats against the editors.

The admins of the UPND Zambia page stated, “At least mwakambako ati [at least you say] FUEL PRICES HAVE GONE DOWN for the month of July, not every day its negative news. We shall start >>READ MORE>>

THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has threatened to deal with editors of The Mast newspaper with unspecified actions. In a post on the UPND Zambia page yesterday, the ruling party’s media shared the front page of The Mast newspaper’s Tuesday edition with the headline ‘W...

02/07/2025

Our focus is on Morocco game, Chipasula

By Cecilia Nayame

ZAMBIA Women national team players Mercy Chipasula and Mwila Mufunta say they will use experience gained at junior level to help the team beat Morocco in the opening match of the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Championship this Saturday.

The Copper Queens will face the Lionesses in the opening match set for Olympic Stadium in Rabat before meeting Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 9 and 12 at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, respectively. FOR MORE>>

ZAMBIA Women national team players Mercy Chipasula and Mwila Mufunta say they will use experience gained at junior level to help the team beat Morocco in the

02/07/2025

ECL was denied the right to live by the UPND government – Dr Fred M'membe